Epoxide and fluorinated epoxide stabilizers for fluoroolefins

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compositions comprising at least one fluoroolefin and an effective amount of stabilizer that may be an epoxide, fluorinated epoxide or oxetane, or a mixture thereof with other stabilizers. The stabilized compositions may be useful in cooling apparatus, such as refrigeration, air-conditioning, chillers, and heat pumps, as well as in applications as foam blowing agents, solvents, aerosol propellants, fire extinguishants, and sterilants.

This application is a divisional application of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/817,337, filed Aug. 4, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,777,204, which is a divisional application of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/967,780 filed Aug. 15, 2013, granted (U.S. Pat. No. 9,133,381), which is a divisional application of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 12/377,454 filed Apr. 11, 2011, granted (U.S. Pat. No. 8,535,555), which is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/US07/19140 filed Aug. 31, 2007, and claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/921,529 filed Apr. 2, 2007, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/841,907 filed Sep. 1, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/841,831 filed Sep. 1, 2006, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to compositions comprising at least one fluoroolefin and a stabilizer. The stabilized compositions may be useful in cooling systems as replacements for existing refrigerants with higher global warming potential.

2. Description of Related Art

New environmental regulations on working fluids have forced the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry to look for new working fluids with low global warming potential (GWP).

Replacement working fluids are being sought that have low GWP, no toxicity, non-flammability, reasonable cost and excellent refrigeration performance.

Fluoroolefins have been proposed as working fluids alone or in mixtures. However, it has been observed that fluoroolefins can exhibit degradation when exposed to high temperatures or when contacted with other compounds (e.g., moisture, oxygen, or other compounds with which they may undergo condensation reactions. This degradation may occur when fluoroolefins are used as working fluids in heat transfer equipment (refrigeration or air-conditioning equipment, for instance) or when used in some other application. This degradation may occur by any number of different mechanisms. In one instance, the degradation may be caused by instability of the compounds at extreme temperatures. In other instances, the degradation may be caused by oxidation in the presence of air that has inadvertently leaked into the system. Whatever the cause of such degradation, because of the instability of the fluoroolefins, it may not be practical to incorporate these fluoroolefins into refrigeration or air-conditioning systems. Therefore, to take advantage of the many other attributes of fluoroolefins, means to reduce the degradation is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a composition comprising at least one fluoroolefin and an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising:

a. at least one compound selected from the group consisting of epoxides and fluorinated epoxides represented by Formula A, wherein each of R² through R⁵ is H, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or fluoroalkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms with the proviso that at least one of R² through R⁵ is a fluoroalkyl group;

and b. at least one compound selected from the group consisting of thiophosphates, butylated triphenylphosphorothionates, organo phosphates, fullerenes, aryl alkyl ether, functionalized perfluoropolyethers, polyoxyalkylated aromatics, alkylated aromatics, oxetanes, ascorbic acid, thiols, lactones, thioethers, amines, nitromethane, alkylsilanes, benzophenone derivatives, aryl sulfides, divinyl terephthalate, diphenyl terephthalate, and mixtures thereof.

Also provided is a composition comprising:

a. at least one fluoroolefin; and

b. an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising:

-   -   i) at least one epoxide, fluorinated epoxide or mixture thereof;     -   ii) at least one phosphite, phenol, terpene, terpenoid, or         mixture thereof; and     -   iii) at least one metal deactivator selected from the group         consisting of areoxalyl bis(benzylidene)hydrazide;         N,N′-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamoylhydrazine);         2,2′-oxamidobis-ethyl-(3,5-d-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydorcinnamate);         N,N′-(disalicyclidene)-1,2-propanediamine;         ethyenediaminetetraacetic acid and salts thereof; triazoles;         benzotriazole, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, tolutriazole         derivatives, N,N-disalicylidene-1,2-diaminopropane, and mixtures         thereof.

Also provided is a method for stabilizing a composition comprising at least one fluoroolefin, said method comprising adding an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising at least one epoxide or fluorinated epoxide and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of thiophosphates, butylated triphenylphosphorothionates, organo phosphates, fullerenes, aryl alkyl ether, functionalized perfluoropolyethers, polyoxyalkylated aromatics, alkylated aromatics, oxetanes, ascorbic acid, thiols, lactones, thioethers, amines, nitromethane, alkylsilanes, benzophenone derivatives, aryl sulfides, divinyl terephthalate, diphenyl terephthalate, and mixtures thereof.

Also provided is a method for reducing degradation of a composition comprising at least one fluoroolefin, wherein said degradation is caused by the presence of inadvertent air in a refrigeration, air-conditioning or heat pump system, said method comprising adding an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising at least one epoxide or fluorinated epoxide and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of thiophosphates, butylated triphenylphosphorothionates, organo phosphates, fullerenes, aryl alkyl ether, functionalized perfluoropolyethers, polyoxyalkylated aromatics, alkylated aromatics, oxetanes, ascorbic acid, thiols, lactones, thioethers, amines, nitromethane, alkylsilanes, benzophenone derivatives, aryl sulfides, divinyl terephthalate, diphenyl terephthalate, and mixtures thereof to the composition comprising at least one fluoroolefin.

Also provided is a method for reducing reaction with oxygen for a composition comprising at least one fluoroolefin, said method comprising adding an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising at least one epoxide or fluorinated epoxide and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of thiophosphates, butylated triphenylphosphorothionates, organo phosphates, fullerenes, aryl alkyl ether, functionalized perfluoropolyethers, polyoxyalkylated aromatics, alkylated aromatics, oxetanes, ascorbic acid, thiols, lactones, thioethers, amines, nitromethane, alkylsilanes, benzophenone derivatives, aryl sulfides, divinyl terephthalate, diphenyl terephthalate, and mixtures thereof to the composition comprising at least one fluoroolefin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a composition comprising at least one fluoroolefin and an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising: a. at least one epoxide or fluorinated epoxide.

These compositions have a variety of utilities in working fluids, which include use as These compositions have a variety of utilities in working fluids, which include use as foaming agents, blowing agents, fire extinguishing agents, heat transfer mediums (such as heat transfer fluids and refrigerants for use in refrigeration systems, refrigerators, air conditioning systems, heat pumps, chillers, and the like), to name a few.

A blowing agent is a volatile composition that expands a polymer matrix to form a cellular structure.

A solvent is a fluid that removes a soil from a substrate, or deposits a material onto a substrate, or carries a material.

An aerosol propellant is a volatile composition of one or more components that exerts a pressure greater than one atmosphere to expel a material from a container.

A fire extinguishant is a volatile composition that extinguishes or suppresses a flame.

A sterilant is a volatile biocidal fluid or blend containing a volatile biocidal fluid that destroys a biologically active material or the like.

A heat transfer medium (also referred to herein as a heat transfer fluid, a heat transfer composition or a heat transfer fluid composition) is a working fluid used to carry heat from a heat source to a heat sink.

A refrigerant is a compound or mixture of compounds that function as a heat transfer fluid in a cycle wherein the fluid undergoes a phase change from a liquid to a gas and back.

The term fluoroolefins, as used herein, describes compounds which comprise carbon atoms, fluorine atoms, and optionally hydrogen atoms. In one embodiment, the fluoroolefins used in the compositions of the present invention comprise compounds with 2 to 12 carbon atoms. In another embodiment the fluoroolefins comprise compounds with 3 to 10 carbon atoms, and in yet another embodiment the fluoroolefins comprise compounds with 3 to 7 carbon atoms. Representative fluoroolefins include but are not limited to all compounds as listed in Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3.

One embodiment of the present invention provides fluoroolefins having the formula E- or Z—R¹CH═CHR² (Formula I), wherein R¹ and R² are, independently, C₁ to C₆ perfluoroalkyl groups. Examples of R¹ and R² groups include, but are not limited to, CF₃, C₂F₅, CF₂CF₂CF₃, CF(CF₃)₂, CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃, CF(CF₃)CF₂CF₃, CF₂CF(CF₃)₂, C(CF₃)₃, CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃, CF₂CF₂CF(CF₃)₂, C(CF₃)₂C₂F₅, CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃, CF(CF₃) CF₂CF₂C₂F₅, and C(CF₃)₂CF₂C₂F₅. In one embodiment the fluoroolefins of Formula I have at least about 4 carbon atoms in the molecule. In another embodiment, the fluoroolefins of Formula I have at least about 5 carbon atoms in the molecule. Exemplary, non-limiting Formula I compounds are presented in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Code Structure Chemical Name F11E CF₃CH═CHCF₃ 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene F12E CF₃CH═CHC₂F₅ 1,1,1,4,4,5,5,5-octafluoropent-2-ene F13E CF₃CH═CHCF₂C₂F₅ 1,1,1,4,4,5,5,6,6,6-decafluorohex-2-ene F13iE CF₃CH═CHCF(CF₃)₂ 1,1,1,4,5,5,5-heptafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)pent-2-ene F22E C₂F₅CH═CHC₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,2,5,5,6,6,6-decafluorohex-3-ene F14E CF₃CH═CH(CF₂)₃CF₃ 1,1,1,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-dodecafluorohept-2-ene F14iE CF₃CH═CHCF₂CF—(CF₃)₂ 1,1,1,4,4,5,6,6,6-nonafluoro-5-(trifluoromethyl)hex-2-ene F14sE CF₃CH═CHCF(CF₃)—C₂F₅ 1,1,1,4,5,5,6,6,6-nonfluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)hex-2-ene F14tE CF₃CH═CHC(CF₃)₃ 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-4,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)pent-2-ene F23E C₂F₅CH═CHCF₂C₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,2,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-dodecafluorohept-3-ene F23iE C₂F₅CH═CHCF(CF₃)₂ 1,1,1,2,2,5,6,6,6-nonafluoro-5-(trifluoromethyl)hex-3-ene F15E CF₃CH═CH(CF₂)₄CF₃ 1,1,1,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tetradecafluorooct-2-ene F15iE CF₃CH═CH—CF₂CF₂CF(CF₃)₂ 1,1,1,4,4,5,5,6,7,7,7-undecafluoro-6-(trifluoromethyl)hept- 2-ene F15tE CF₃CH═CH—C(CF₃)₂C₂F₅ 1,1,1,5,5,6,6,6-octafluoro-4,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)hex-2- ene F24E C₂F₅CH═CH(CF₂)₃CF₃ 1,1,1,2,2,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tetradecafluorooct-3-ene F24iE C₂F₅CH═CHCF₂CF—(CF₃)₂ 1,1,1,2,2,5,5,6,7,7,7-undecafluoro-6-(trifluoromethyl)hept- 3-ene F24sE C₂F₅CH═CHCF(CF₃)—C₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,2,5,6,6,7,7,7-undecafluoro-5-(trifluoromethyl)hept- 3-ene F24tE C₂F₅CH═CHC(CF₃)₃ 1,1,1,2,2,6,6,6-octafluoro-5,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)hex-3- ene F33E C₂F₅CF₂CH═CH—CF₂C₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tetradecafluorooct-4-ene F3i3iE (CF₃)₂CFCH═CH—CF(CF₃)₂ 1,1,1,2,5,6,6,6-octafluoro-2,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)hex-3- ene F33iE C₂F₅CF₂CH═CH—CF(CF₃)₂ 1,1,1,2,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-undecafluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)hept- 3-ene F16E CF₃CH═CH(CF₂)₅CF₃ 1,1,1,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,,9,9,9-hexadecafluoronon-2-ene F16sE CF₃CH═CHCF(CF₃)(CF₂)₂C₂F₅ 1,1,1,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluoro-4- (trifluoromethyl)hept-2-ene F16tE CF₃CH═CHC(CF₃)₂CF₂C₂F₅ 1,1,1,6,6,6-octafluoro-4,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)hept-2-ene F25E C₂F₅CH═CH(CF₂)₄CF₃ 1,1,1,2,2,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,9-hexadecafluoronon-3-ene F25iE C₂F₅CH═CH—CF₂CF₂CF(CF₃)₂ 1,1,1,2,2,5,5,6,6,7,8,8,8-tridecafluoro-7- (trifluoromethyl)oct-3-ene F25tE C₂F₅CH═CH—C(CF₃)₂C₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,2,6,6,7,7,7-decafluoro-5,5- bis(trifluoromethyl)hept-3-ene F34E C₂F₅CF₂CH═CH—(CF₂)₃CF₃ 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,9-hexadecafluoronon-4-ene F34iE C₂F₅CF₂CH═CH—CF₂CF(CF₃)₂ 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,6,6,7,8,8,8-tridecafluoro-7- (trifluoromethyl)oct-4-ene F34sE C₂F₅CF₂CH═CH—CF(CF₃)C₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluoro-6- (trifluoromethyl)oct-4-ene F34tE C₂F₅CF₂CH═CH—C(CF₃)₃ 1,1,1,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-decafluoro-2,2- bis(trifluoromethyl)hept-3-ene F3i4E (CF₃)₂CFCH═CH—(CF₂)₃CF₃ 1,1,1,2,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluoro- 2(trifluoromethyl)oct-3-ene F3i4iE (CF₃)₂CFCH═CH—CF₂CF(CF₃)₂ 1,1,1,2,5,5,6,7,7,7-decafluoro-2,6- bis(trifluoromethyl)hept-3-ene F3i4sE (CF₃)₂CFCH═CH—CF(CF₃)C₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,5,6,6,7,7,7-decafluoro-2,5- bis(trifluoromethyl)hept-3-ene F3i4tE (CF₃)₂CFCH═CH—C(CF₃)₃ 1,1,1,2,6,6,6-heptafluoro-2,5,5-tris(trifluoromethyl)hex-3- ene F26E C₂F₅CH═CH(CF₂)₅CF₃ 1,1,1,2,2,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,10-octadecafluorodec- 3-ene F26sE C₂F₅CH═CHCF(CF₃)(CF₂)₂C₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,2,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,9-pentadecafluoro-5- (trifluoromethyl)non-3-ene F26tE C₂F₅CH═CHC(CF₃)₂CF₂C₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,2,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-dodecafluoro-5,5- bis(trifluoromethyl)oct-3-ene F35E C₂F₅CF₂CH═CH—(CF₂)₄CF₃ 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,10-octadecafluorodec- 4-ene F35iE C₂F₅CF₂CH═CH—CF₂CF₂CF(CF₃)₂ 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,6,6,7,7,8,9,9,9-pentadecafluoro-8- (trifluoromethyl)non-4-ene F35tE C₂F₅CF₂CH═CH—C(CF₃)₂C₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,7,7,8,8,8-dodecafluoro-6,6- bis(trifluoromethyl)oct-4-ene F3i5E (CF₃)₂CFCH═CH—(CF₂)₄CF₃ 1,1,1,2,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,9-pentadecafluoro-2- (trifluoromethyl)non-3-ene F3i5iE (CF₃)₂CFCH═CH—CF₂CF₂CF(CF₃)₂ 1,1,1,2,5,5,6,6,7,8,8,8-dodecafluoro-2,7- bis(trifluoromethyl)oct-3-ene F3i5tE (CF₃)₂CFCH═CH—C(CF₃)₂C₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,6,6,7,7,7-nonafluoro-2,5,5- tris(trifluoromethyl)hept-3-ene F44E CF₃(CF₂)₃CH═CH—(CF₂)₃CF₃ 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,10-octadecafluorodec- 5-ene F44iE CF₃(CF₂)₃CH═CH—CF₂CF(CF₃)₂ 1,1,1,2,3,3,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,9-pentadecafluoro-2- (trifluoromethyl)non-4-ene F44sE CF₃(CF₂)₃CH═CH—CF(CF₃)C₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,2,3,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,9-pentadecafluoro-3- (trifluoromethyl)non-4-ene F44tE CF₃(CF₂)₃CH═CH—C(CF₃)₃ 1,1,1,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-dodecafluoro-2,2,- bis(trifluoromethyl)oct-3-ene F4i4iE (CF₃)₂CFCF₂CH═CH—CF₂CF(CF₃)₂ 1,1,1,2,3,3,6,6,7,8,8,8-dodecafluoro-2,7- bis(trifluoromethyl)oct-4-ene F4i4sE (CF₃)₂CFCF₂CH═CH—CF(CF₃)C₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,3,3,6,7,7,8,8,8-dodecafluoro-2,6- bis(trifluoromethyl)oct-4-ene F4i4tE (CF₃)₂CFCF₂CH═CH—C(CF₃)₃ 1,1,1,5,5,6,7,7,7-nonafluoro-2,2,6- tris(trifluoromethyl)hept-3-ene F4s4sE C₂F₅CF(CF₃)CH═CH—CF(CF₃)C₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,2,3,6,7,7,8,8,8-dodecafluoro-3,6- bis(trifluoromethyl)oct-4-ene F4s4tE C₂F₅CF(CF₃)CH═CH—C(CF₃)₃ 1,1,1,5,6,6,7,7,7-nonafluoro-2,2,5- tris(trifluoromethyl)hept-3-ene F4t4tE (CF₃)₃CCH═CH—C(CF₃)₃ 1,1,1,6,6,6-hexafluoro-2,2,5,5- tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)hex-3-ene

Compounds of Formula I may be prepared by contacting a perfluoroalkyl iodide of the formula R¹I with a perfluoroalkyltrihydroolefin of the formula R²CH═CH₂ to form a trihydroiodoperfluoroalkane of the formula R¹CH₂CHIR². This trihydroiodoperfluoroalkane can then be dehydroiodinated to form R¹CH═CHR². Alternatively, the olefin R¹CH═CHR² may be prepared by dehydroiodination of a trihydroiodoperfluoroalkane of the formula R¹CHICH₂R² formed in turn by reacting a perfluoroalkyl iodide of the formula R²I with a perfluoroalkyltrihydroolefin of the formula R¹CH═CH₂.

Said contacting of a perfluoroalkyl iodide with a perfluoroalkyltrihydroolefin may take place in batch mode by combining the reactants in a suitable reaction vessel capable of operating under the autogenous pressure of the reactants and products at reaction temperature. Suitable reaction vessels include fabricated from stainless steels, in particular of the austenitic type, and the well-known high nickel alloys such as Monel® nickel-copper alloys, Hastelloy® nickel based alloys and Inconel® nickel-chromium alloys.

Alternatively, the reaction may take be conducted in semi-batch mode in which the perfluoroalkyltrihydroolefin reactant is added to the perfluoroalkyl iodide reactant by means of a suitable addition apparatus such as a pump at the reaction temperature.

The ratio of perfluoroalkyl iodide to perfluoroalkyltrihydroolefin should be between about 1:1 to about 4:1, preferably from about 1.5:1 to 2.5:1. Ratios less than 1.5:1 tend to result in large amounts of the 2:1 adduct as reported by Jeanneaux, et. al. in Journal of Fluorine Chemistry, Vol. 4, pages 261-270 (1974).

Preferred temperatures for contacting of said perfluoroalkyl iodide with said perfluoroalkyltrihydroolefin are preferably within the range of about 150° C. to 300° C., preferably from about 170° C. to about 250° C., and most preferably from about 180° C. to about 230° C.

Suitable contact times for the reaction of the perfluoroalkyl iodide with the perfluoroalkyltrihydroolefin are from about 0.5 hour to 18 hours, preferably from about 4 to about 12 hours.

The trihydroiodoperfluoroalkane prepared by reaction of the perfluoroalkyl iodide with the perfluoroalkyltrihydroolefin may be used directly in the dehydroiodination step or may preferably be recovered and purified by distillation prior to the dehydroiodination step.

The dehydroiodination step is carried out by contacting the trihydroiodoperfluoroalkane with a basic substance. Suitable basic substances include alkali metal hydroxides (e.g., sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide), alkali metal oxide (for example, sodium oxide), alkaline earth metal hydroxides (e.g., calcium hydroxide), alkaline earth metal oxides (e.g., calcium oxide), alkali metal alkoxides (e.g., sodium methoxide or sodium ethoxide), aqueous ammonia, sodium amide, or mixtures of basic substances such as soda lime. Preferred basic substances are sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.

Said contacting of the trihydroiodoperfluoroalkane with a basic substance may take place in the liquid phase preferably in the presence of a solvent capable of dissolving at least a portion of both reactants. Solvents suitable for the dehydroiodination step include one or more polar organic solvents such as alcohols (e.g., methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, and tertiary butanol), nitriles (e.g., acetonitrile, propionitrile, butyronitrile, benzonitrile, or adiponitrile), dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, or sulfolane. The choice of solvent may depend on the boiling point product and the ease of separation of traces of the solvent from the product during purification. Typically, ethanol or isopropanol are good solvents for the reaction.

Typically, the dehydroiodination reaction may be carried out by addition of one of the reactants (either the basic substance or the trihydroiodoperfluoroalkane) to the other reactant in a suitable reaction vessel. Said reaction may be fabricated from glass, ceramic, or metal and is preferably agitated with an impeller or stirring mechanism.

Temperatures suitable for the dehydroiodination reaction are from about 10° C. to about 100° C., preferably from about 20° C. to about 70° C. The dehydroiodination reaction may be carried out at ambient pressure or at reduced or elevated pressure. Of note are dehydroiodination reactions in which the compound of Formula I is distilled out of the reaction vessel as it is formed.

Alternatively, the dehydroiodination reaction may be conducted by contacting an aqueous solution of said basic substance with a solution of the trihydroiodoperfluoroalkane in one or more organic solvents of lower polarity such as an alkane (e.g., hexane, heptane, or octane), aromatic hydrocarbon (e.g., toluene), halogenated hydrocarbon (e.g., methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, or perchloroethylene), or ether (e.g., diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, dimethoxyethane, diglyme, or tetraglyme) in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst. Suitable phase transfer catalysts include quaternary ammonium halides (e.g., tetrabutylammonium bromide, tetrabutylammonium hydrosulfate, triethylbenzylammonium chloride, dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride, and tricaprylylmethylammonium chloride), quaternary phosphonium halides (e.g., triphenylmethylphosphonium bromide and tetraphenylphosphonium chloride), or cyclic polyether compounds known in the art as crown ethers (e.g., 18-crown-6 and 15-crown-5).

Alternatively, the dehydroiodination reaction may be conducted in the absence of solvent by adding the trihydroiodoperfluoroalkane to a solid or liquid basic substance.

Suitable reaction times for the dehydroiodination reactions are from about 15 minutes to about six hours or more depending on the solubility of the reactants. Typically the dehydroiodination reaction is rapid and requires about 30 minutes to about three hours for completion. The compound of formula I may be recovered from the dehydroiodination reaction mixture by phase separation after addition of water, by distillation, or by a combination thereof.

In another embodiment of the present invention, fluoroolefins comprise cyclic fluoroolefins (cyclo-[CX═CY(CZW)_(n)—] (Formula II), wherein X, Y, Z, and W are independently selected from H and F, and n is an integer from 2 to 5). In one embodiment the fluoroolefins of Formula II, have at least about 3 carbon atoms in the molecule. In another embodiment, the fluoroolefins of Formula II have at least about 4 carbon atoms in the molecule. In yet another embodiment, the fluoroolefins of Formula II have at least about 5 carbon atoms in the molecule. Representative cyclic fluoroolefins of Formula II are listed in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Cyclic fluoroolefins Structure Chemical name FC-C1316cc cyclo-CF₂CF₂CF═CF— 1,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluorocyclobutene HFC-C1334cc cyclo-CF₂CF₂CH═CH— 3,3,4,4-tetrafluorocyclobutene HFC-C1436 cyclo-CF₂CF₂CF₂CH═CH— 3,3,4,4,5,5,- hexafluorocyclopentene FC-C1418y cyclo-CF₂CF═CFCF₂CF₂— 1,2,3,3,4,4,5,5- octafluorocyclopentene FC-C151-10y cyclo-CF₂CF═CFCF₂CF₂CF₂— 1,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6- decafluorocyclohexene

The compositions of the present invention may comprise a single compound of Formula I or formula II, for example, one of the compounds in Table 1 or Table 2, or may comprise a combination of compounds of Formula I or formula II.

In another embodiment, fluoroolefins may comprise those compounds listed in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Name Structure Chemical name HFC-1225ye CF₃CF═CHF 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-1-propene HFC-1225zc CF₃CH═CF₂ 1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoro-1-propene HFC-1225yc CHF₂CF═CF₂ 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoro-1-propene HFC-1234ye CHF₂CF═CHF 1,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene HFC-1234yf CF₃CF═CH₂ 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene HFC-1234ze CF₃CH═CHF 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene HFC-1234yc CH₂FCF═CF₂ 1,1,2,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene HFC-1234zc CHF₂CH═CF₂ 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene HFC-1243yf CHF₂CF═CH₂ 2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene HFC-1243zf CF₃CH═CH₂ 3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene HFC-1243yc CH₃CF═CF₂ 1,1,2-trifluoro-1-propene HFC-1243zc CH₂FCH═CF₂ 1,1,3-trifluoro-1-propene HFC-1243ye CH₂FCF═CHF 1,2,3-trifluoro-1-propene HFC-1243ze CHF₂CH═CHF 1,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene FC-1318my CF₃CF═CFCF₃ 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,4-octafluoro-2-butene FC-1318cy CF₃CF₂CF═CF₂ 1,1,2,3,3,4,4,4-octafluoro-1-butene HFC-1327my CF₃CF═CHCF₃ 1,1,1,2,4,4,4-heptafluoro-2-butene HFC-1327ye CHF═CFCF₂CF₃ 1,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-1-butene HFC-1327py CHF₂CF═CFCF₃ 1,1,1,2,3,4,4-heptafluoro-2-butene HFC-1327et (CF₃)₂C═CHF 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2- (trifluoromethyl)-1-propene HFC-1327cz CF₂═CHCF₂CF₃ 1,1,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-1-butene HFC-1327cye CF₂═CFCHFCF₃ 1,1,2,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-1-butene HFC-1327cyc CF₂═CFCF₂CHF₂ 1,1,2,3,3,4,4-heptafluoro-1-butene HFC-1336yf CF₃CF₂CF═CH₂ 2,3,3,4,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene HFC-1336ze CHF═CHCF₂CF₃ 1,3,3,4,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene HFC-1336eye CHF═CFCHFCF₃ 1,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene HFC-1336eyc CHF═CFCF₂CHF₂ 1,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene HFC-1336pyy CHF₂CF═CFCHF₂ 1,1,2,3,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene HFC-1336qy CH₂FCF═CFCF₃ 1,1,1,2,3,4-hexafluoro-2-butene HFC-1336pz CHF₂CH═CFCF₃ 1,1,1,2,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene HFC-1336mzy CF₃CH═CFCHF₂ 1,1,1,3,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene HFC-1336qc CF₂═CFCF₂CH₂F 1,1,2,3,3,4-hexafluoro-1-butene HFC-1336pe CF₂═CFCHFCHF₂ 1,1,2,3,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene HFC-1336ft CH₂═C(CF₃)₂ 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1- propene HFC-1345qz CH₂FCH═CFCF₃ 1,1,1,2,4-pentafluoro-2-butene HFC-1345mzy CF₃CH═CFCH₂F 1,1,1,3,4-pentafluoro-2-butene HFC-1345fz CF₃CF₂CH═CH₂ 3,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene HFC-1345mzz CHF₂CH═CHCF₃ 1,1,1,4,4-pentafluoro-2-butene HFC-1345sy CH₃CF═CFCF₃ 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoro-2-butene HFC-1345fyc CH₂═CFCF₂CHF₂ 2,3,3,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene HFC-1345pyz CHF₂CF═CHCHF₂ 1,1,2,4,4-pentafluoro-2-butene HFC-1345cyc CH₃CF₂CF═CF₂ 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoro-1-butene HFC-1345pyy CH₂FCF═CFCHF₂ 1,1,2,3,4-pentafluoro-2-butene HFC-1345eyc CH₂FCF₂CF═CF₂ 1,2,3,3,4-pentafluoro-1-butene HFC-1345ctm CF₂═C(CF₃)(CH₃) 1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoro-2-methyl-1- propene HFC-1345ftp CH₂═C(CHF₂)(CF₃) 2-(difluoromethyl)-3,3,3-trifluoro-1- propene HFC1345fye CH₂═CFCHFCF₃ 2,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene HFC-1345eyf CHF═CFCH₂CF₃ 1,2,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene HFC-1345eze CHF═CHCHFCF₃ 1,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene HFC-1345ezc CHF═CHCF₂CHF₂ 1,3,3,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene HFC-1345eye CHF═CFCHFCHF₂ 1,2,3,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene HFC-1354fzc CH₂═CHCF₂CHF₂ 3,3,4,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene HFC-1354ctp CF₂═C(CHF₂)(CH₃) 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-methyl-1- propene HFC-1354etm CHF═C(CF₃)(CH₃) 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-methyl-1- propene HFC-1354tfp CH₂═C(CHF₂)₂ 2-(difluoromethyl)-3,3-difluoro-1- propene HFC-1354my CF₃CF═CHCH₃ 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoro-2-butene HFC-1354mzy CH₃CF═CHCF₃ 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-butene FC-141-10myy CF₃CF═CFCF₂CF₃ 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,5-decafluoro-2- pentene FC-141-10cy CF₂═CFCF₂CF₂CF₃ 1,1,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,5-decafluoro-1- pentene HFC-1429mzt (CF₃)₂C═CHCF₃ 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2- (trifluoromethyl)-2-butene HFC-1429myz CF₃CF═CHCF₂CF₃ 1,1,1,2,4,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-2- pentene HFC-1429mzy CF₃CH═CFCF₂CF₃ 1,1,1,3,4,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-2- pentene HFC-1429eyc CHF═CFCF₂CF₂CF₃ 1,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-1- pentene HFC-1429czc CF₂═CHCF₂CF₂CF₃ 1,1,3,3,4,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-1- pentene HFC-1429cycc CF₂═CFCF₂CF₂CHF₂ 1,1,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-nonafluoro-1- pentene HFC-1429pyy CHF₂CF═CFCF₂CF₃ 1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-2- pentene HFC-1429myyc CF₃CF═CFCF₂CHF₂ 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5-nonafluoro-2- pentene HFC-1429myye CF₃CF═CFCHFCF₃ 1,1,1,2,3,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-2- pentene HFC-1429eyym CHF═CFCF(CF₃)₂ 1,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluoro-3- (trifluoromethyl)-1-butene HFC-1429cyzm CF₂═CFCH(CF₃)₂ 1,1,2,4,4,4-hexafluoro-3- (trifluoromethyl)-1-butene HFC-1429mzt CF₃CH═C(CF₃)₂ 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2- (trifluoromethyl)-2-butene HFC-1429czym CF₂═CHCF(CF₃)₂ 1,1,3,4,4,4-hexafluoro-3- (trifluoromethyl)-1-butene HFC-1438fy CH₂═CFCF₂CF₂CF₃ 2,3,3,4,4,5,5,5-octafluoro-1- pentene HFC-1438eycc CHF═CFCF₂CF₂CHF₂ 1,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoro-1- pentene HFC-1438ftmc CH₂═C(CF₃)CF₂CF₃ 3,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-2- (trifluoromethyl)-1-butene HFC-1438czzm CF₂═CHCH(CF₃)₂ 1,1,4,4,4-pentafluoro-3- (trifluoromethyl)-1-butene HFC-1438ezym CHF═CHCF(CF₃)₂ 1,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-3- (trifluoromethyl)-1-butene HFC-1438ctmf CF₂═C(CF₃)CH₂CF₃ 1,1,4,4,4-pentafluoro-2- (trifluoromethyl)-1-butene HFC-1447fzy (CF₃)₂CFCH═CH₂ 3,4,4,4-tetrafluoro-3- (trifluoromethyl)-1-butene HFC-1447fz CF₃CF₂CF₂CH═CH₂ 3,3,4,4,5,5,5-heptafluoro-1-pentene HFC-1447fycc CH₂═CFCF₂CF₂CHF₂ 2,3,3,4,4,5,5-heptafluoro-1-pentene HFC-1447czcf CF₂═CHCF₂CH₂CF₃ 1,1,3,3,5,5,5-heptafluoro-1-pentene HFC-1447mytm CF₃CF═C(CF₃)(CH₃) 1,1,1,2,4,4,4-heptafluoro-3-methyl- 2-butene HFC-1447fyz CH₂═CFCH(CF₃)₂ 2,4,4,4-tetrafluoro-3- (trifluoromethyl)-1-butene HFC-1447ezz CHF═CHCH(CF₃)₂ 1,4,4,4-tetrafluoro-3- (trifluoromethyl)-1-butene HFC-1447qzt CH₂FCH═C(CF₃)₂ 1,4,4,4-tetrafluoro-2- (trifluoromethyl)-2-butene HFC-1447syt CH₃CF═C(CF₃)₂ 2,4,4,4-tetrafluoro-2- (trifluoromethyl)-2-butene HFC-1456szt (CF₃)₂C═CHCH₃ 3-(trifluoromethyl)-4,4,4-trifluoro-2- butene HFC-1456szy CF₃CF₂CF═CHCH₃ 3,4,4,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2-pentene HFC-1456mstz CF₃C(CH₃)═CHCF₃ 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-methyl-2- butene HFC-1456fzce CH₂═CHCF₂CHFCF₃ 3,3,4,5,5,5-hexafluoro-1-pentene HFC-1456ftmf CH₂═C(CF₃)CH₂CF₃ 4,4,4-trifluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1- butene FC-151-12c CF₃(CF₂)₃CF═CF₂ 1,1,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6- dodecafluoro-1-hexene (or perfluoro-1-hexene) FC-151-12mcy CF₃CF₂CF═CFCF₂CF₃ 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,6,6,6- dodecafluoro-3-hexene (or perfluoro-3-hexene) FC-151-12mmtt (CF₃)₂C═C(CF₃)₂ 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2,3- bis(trifluoromethyl)-2-butene FC-151-12mmzz (CF₃)₂CFCF═CFCF₃ 1,1,1,2,3,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-4- (trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene HFC-152-11mmtz (CF₃)₂C═CHC₂F₅ 1,1,1,4,4,5,5,5-octafluoro-2- (trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene HFC-152-11mmyyz (CF₃)₂CFCF═CHCF₃ 1,1,1,3,4,5,5,5-octafluoro-4- (trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene PFBE CF₃CF₂CF₂CF₂CH═CH₂ 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6-nonafluoro-1- (or HFC-1549fz) hexene (or perfluorobutylethylene) HFC-1549fztmm CH₂═CHC(CF₃)₃ 4,4,4-trifluoro-3,3- bis(trifluoromethyl)-1-butene HFC-1549mmtts (CF₃)₂C═C(CH₃)(CF₃) 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-3-methyl-2- (trifluoromethyl)-2-butene HFC-1549fycz CH₂═CFCF₂CH(CF₃)₂ 2,3,3,5,5,5-hexafluoro-4- (trifluoromethyl)-1-pentene HFC-1549myts CF₃CF═C(CH₃)CF₂CF₃ 1,1,1,2,4,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-3- methyl-2-pentene HFC-1549mzzz CF₃CH═CHCH(CF₃)₂ 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-4- (trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene HFC-1558szy CF₃CF₂CF₂CF═CHCH₃ 3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6-octafluoro-2-hexene HFC-1558fzccc CH₂═CHCF₂CF₂CF₂CHF₂ 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6-octafluoro-2-hexene HFC-1558mmtzc (CF₃)₂C═CHCF₂CH₃ 1,1,1,4,4-pentafluoro-2- (trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene HFC-1558ftmf CH₂═C(CF₃)CH₂C₂F₅ 4,4,5,5,5-pentafluoro-2- (trifluoromethyl)-1-pentene HFC-1567fts CF₃CF₂CF₂C(CH₃)═CH₂ 3,3,4,4,5,5,5-heptafluoro-2-methyl- 1-pentene HFC-1567szz CF₃CF₂CF₂CH═CHCH₃ 4,4,5,5,6,6,6-heptafluoro-2-hexene HFC-1567fzfc CH₂═CHCH₂CF₂C₂F₅ 4,4,5,5,6,6,6-heptafluoro-1-hexene HFC-1567sfyy CF₃CF₂CF═CFC₂H₅ 1,1,1,2,2,3,4-heptafluoro-3-hexene HFC-1567fzfy CH₂═CHCH₂CF(CF₃)₂ 4,5,5,5-tetrafluoro-4- (trifluoromethyl)-1-pentene HFC-1567myzzm CF₃CF═CHCH(CF₃)(CH₃) 1,1,1,2,5,5,5-heptafluoro-4-methyl- 2-pentene HFC-1567mmtyf (CF₃)₂C═CFC₂H₅ 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2- (trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene FC-161-14myy CF₃CF═CFCF₂CF₂C₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7- tetradecafluoro-2-heptene FC-161-14mcyy CF₃CF₂CF═CFCF₂C₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7- tetradecafluoro-2-heptene HFC-162-13mzy CF₃CH═CFCF₂CF₂C₂F₅ 1,1,1,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7- tridecafluoro-2-heptene HFC162-13myz CF₃CF═CHCF₂CF₂C₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7- tridecafluoro-2-heptene HFC-162-13mczy CF₃CF₂CH═CFCF₂C₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,2,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7- tridecafluoro-3-heptene HFC-162-13mcyz CF₃CF₂CF═CHCF₂C₂F₅ 1,1,1,2,2,3,5,5,6,6,7,7,7- tridecafluoro-3-heptene PEVE CF₂═CFOCF₂CF₃ pentafluoroethyl trifluorovinyl ether PMVE CF₂═CFOCF₃ trifluoromethyl trifluorovinyl ether

The compounds listed in Table 2 and Table 3 are available commercially or may be prepared by processes known in the art or as described herein.

1,1,1,4,4-pentafluoro-2-butene may be prepared from 1,1,1,2,4,4-hexafluorobutane (CHF₂CH₂CHFCF₃) by dehydrofluorination over solid KOH in the vapor phase at room temperature. The synthesis of 1,1,1,2,4,4-hexafluorobutane is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,768, incorporated herein by reference.

1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene may be prepared from 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-iodobutane (CF₃CHICH₂CF₃) by reaction with KOH using a phase transfer catalyst at about 60° C. The synthesis of 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-iodobutane may be carried out by reaction of perfluoromethyl iodide (CF₃I) and 3,3,3-trifluoropropene (CF₃CH═CH₂) at about 200° C. under autogenous pressure for about 8 hours.

3,4,4,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2-pentene may be prepared by dehydrofluorination of 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoropentane (CF₃CF₂CF₂CH₂CH₃) using solid KOH or over a carbon catalyst at 200-300° C. 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoropentane may be prepared by hydrogenation of 3,3,4,4,5,5,5-heptafluoro-1-pentene (CF₃CF₂CF₂CH═CH₂).

1,1,1,2,3,4-hexafluoro-2-butene may be prepared by dehydrofluorination of 1,1,1,2,3,3,4-heptafluorobutane (CH₂FCF₂CHFCF₃) using solid KOH.

1,1,1,2,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene may be prepared by dehydrofluorination of 1,1,1,2,2,4,4-heptafluorobutane (CHF₂CH₂CF₂CF₃) using solid KOH.

1,1,1,3,4,4-hexafluoro2-butene may be prepared by dehydrofluorination of 1,1,1,3,3,4,4-heptafluorobutane (CF₃CH₂CF₂CHF₂) using solid KOH.

1,1,1,2,4-pentafluoro-2-butene may be prepared by dehydrofluorination of 1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluorobutane (CH₂FCH₂CF₂CF₃) using solid KOH.

1,1,1,3,4-pentafluoro-2-butene may be prepared by dehydrofluorination of 1,1,1,3,3,4-hexafluorobutane (CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₂F) using solid KOH.

1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-butene may be prepared by reacting 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane (CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₃) with aqueous KOH at 120° C.

1,1,1,4,4,5,5,5-octafluoro-2-pentene may be prepared from (CF₃CHICH₂CF₂CF₃) by reaction with KOH using a phase transfer catalyst at about 60° C. The synthesis of 4-iodo-1,1,1,2,2,5,5,5-octafluoropentane may be carried out by reaction of perfluoroethyliodide (CF₃CF₂I) and 3,3,3-trifluoropropene at about 200° C. under autogenous pressure for about 8 hours.

1,1,1,2,2,5,5,6,6,6-decafluoro-3-hexene may be prepared from 1,1,1,2,2,5,5,6,6,6-decafluoro-3-iodohexane (CF₃CF₂CHICH₂CF₂CF₃) by reaction with KOH using a phase transfer catalyst at about 60° C. The synthesis of 1,1,1,2,2,5,5,6,6,6-decafluoro-3-iodohexane may be carried out by reaction of perfluoroethyliodide (CF₃CF₂I) and 3,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene (CF₃CF₂CH═CH₂) at about 200° C. under autogenous pressure for about 8 hours.

1,1,1,4,5,5,5-heptafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene may be prepared by the dehydrofluorination of 1,1,1,2,5,5,5-heptafluoro-4-iodo-2-(trifluoromethyl)-pentane (CF₃CHICH₂CF(CF₃)₂) with KOH in isopropanol. CF₃CHICH₂CF(CF₃)₂ is made from reaction of (CF₃)₂CFI with CF₃CH═CH₂ at high temperature, such as about 200° C.

1,1,1,4,4,5,5,6,6,6-decafluoro-2-hexene may be prepared by the reaction of 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene (CF₃CH═CHCF₃) with tetrafluoroethylene (CF₂═CF₂) and antimony pentafluoride (SbF₅).

2,3,3,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene may be prepared by dehydrofluorination of 1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluorobutane over fluorided alumina at elevated temperature.

2,3,3,4,4,5,5,5-ocatafluoro-1-pentene may be prepared by dehydrofluorination of 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,5-nonafluoropentane over solid KOH.

1,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoro-1-pentene may be prepared by dehydrofluorination of 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,5-nonafluoropentane over fluorided alumina at elevated temperature.

Many of the compounds of Formula I, Formula II, Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3 exist as different configurational isomers or stereoisomers. When the specific isomer is not designated, the present invention is intended to include all single configurational isomers, single stereoisomers, or any combination thereof. For instance, F11E is meant to represent the E-isomer, Z-isomer, or any combination or mixture of both isomers in any ratio. As another example, HFC-1225ye is meant to represent the E-isomer, Z-isomer, or any combination or mixture of both isomers in any ratio.

The present invention provides a composition comprising at least one fluoroolefin and an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising: a. at least one epoxide or fluorinated epoxide; and b. at least one compound selected from the group consisting of thiophosphates, butylated triphenylphosphorothionates, organophosphates, fullerenes, aryl alkyl ether, functionalized perfluoropolyethers, polyoxyalkylated aromatics, alkylated aromatics, oxetanes, ascorbic acid, thiols, lactones, thioethers, amines, nitromethane, alkylsilanes, benzophenone derivatives, aryl sulfides, divinyl terephthalate, diphenyl terephthalate, and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise at least one epoxide. Epoxides include 1,2-propylene oxide (CAS reg. no. [75-56-9]), 1,2-butylene oxide (CAS reg. no. [106-88-7]), butylphenylglycidy ether, pentylphenylglycidyl ether, hexylphenylglycidyl ether, heptylphenylglycidyl ether, octylphenylglycidyl ether, nonylphenylglycidyl ether, decylphenylglycidyl ether, glycidyl methylphenylether, 1,4-glycidyl phenyl diether, 4-methoxyphenylglycidyl ether, naphthyl glycidyl ether, 1,4-diglycidyl naphthyl diether, butylphenyl glycidyl ether, n-butyl glycidyl ether, isobutyl glycidyl ether, hexanediol diglycidyl ether, allyl glycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, and mixtures thereof.

In another embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise at least one fluorinated epoxide. The fluorinated epoxide stabilizers of the present invention may be depicted by Formula A, wherein each of R² through R⁵ is H, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or fluoroalkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms with the proviso that at least one of R² through R⁵ is a fluoroalkyl group.

Representative fluorinated epoxide stabilizers include but are not limited to trifluoromethyloxirane and 1,1-bis(trifluoromethyl)oxirane. Such compounds may be prepared by methods known in the art, for instance by methods described in, Journal of Fluorine Chemistry, volume 24, pages 93-104 (1984), Journal of Organic Chemistry, volume 56, pages 3187 to 3189 (1991), and Journal of Fluorine Chemistry, volume 125, pages 99-105 (2004).

The composition of the present invention additionally comprise a compound selected from a different class of compounds. This additional stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of thiophosphates, butylated triphenylphosphorothionates, organophosphates, fullerenes, functionalized perfluoropolyethers, polyoxyalkylated aromatics, alkylated aromatics, oxetanes, ascorbic acid, thiols, lactones, thioethers, amines, nitromethane, alkylsilanes, benzophenone derivatives, aryl sulfides, divinyl terephthalate, and diphenyl terephthalate, and mixtures thereof, meaning mixtures of any of the stabilizers listed in this paragraph, and in addition, mixtures of any stabilizer or combination of stabilizers listed in this paragraph with any of the stabilizers or combination of the epoxide or fluorinated epoxide stabilizers described above.

In one embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise at least one thiophosphate. The thiophosphate stabilizers of the present invention are compounds derived from phosphoric acids by substituting divalent sulfur for one or more oxygen atoms. These may be monothiophosphates, dithiophosphates or higher order. A representative dithiophosphate is commercially available from Ciba Specialty Chemicals of Basel, Switzerland (hereinafter “Ciba”) under the trademark Irgalube® 63. In another embodiment, thiophosphates include dialkylthiophosphate esters. A representative dialkylthiophosphate ester stabilizer is commercially available from Ciba under the trademark Irgalube® 353.

In another embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise at least one butylated triphenylphosphorothionate as depicted by Formula B.

An example of a butylated triphenylphosphorothionate, wherein each R is independently selected from H or tert-butyl, is commercially available from Ciba under the trademark Irgalube® 232.

In another embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise at least one organophosphate. The organophosphate stabilizers include but are not limited to amine phosphates, trialkyl phosphates, triaryl phosphates, mixed alkyl-aryl phosphates (alkyldiaryl, dialkylaryl or alkylated aryl), and cyclic phosphates. A representative amine phosphate is commercially available from Ciba under the trademark Irgalube® 349. Representative trialkyl phosphates include: trimethyl phosphate ((CH₃)₃PO₄, Cas reg. no. 512-56-1); triethyl phosphate ((CH₃CH₂)₃PO₄, Cas reg. no. 78-40-0); tributyl phosphate ((C₄H₉)₃PO₄, CAS reg. no. 126-73-8); trioctyl phosphate((C₈H₁₇)₃PO₄, CAS reg. no. 1806-54-8); and tri(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate ((CH₃CH(C₂H₅)(CH₂)₄)₃PO₄, CAS reg. no. 78-42-2). Representative triaryl phosphates include: triphenyl phosphate ((C₆H₅O)₃PO, CAS reg. no. 115-86-6); tricresyl phosphate (TCP, (CH₃C₆H₄O)₃PO, CAS reg. no. 1330-78-5); and trixylenyl phosphate (((CH₃)₂C₆H₃O)₃PO, CAS reg. no. 25155-23-1). Representative mixed alkyl-aryl phosphates include: isopropylphenyl phenyl phosphate (IPPP, (C₆H₅O)₂((CH₃)₂CHO)PO, CAS reg. no. 68782-95-6) and bis(t-butylphenyl) phenyl phosphate (TBPP, (C₆H₅O)₂((CH₃)₃C)PO, CAS reg. no. 65652-41-7). Such phosphorus compounds are available from multiple chemical suppliers such as Aldrich (Milwaukee, Wis.); Alfa Aesar (Ward Hill, Mass.); or Akzo Nobel (Arnhem, the Netherlands). Representative commercially available alkylated triaryl phosphates include a butylated triphenyl phosphate, commercially available from Akzo Nobel (Arnhem, the Netherlands) under the trademark Syn-O-Ad® 8784; a tert-butylated triphenyl phosphate commercially available from Great Lakes Chemical Corporation (GLCC, West Lafayette, Ind.) under the trademark Durad® 620; and iso-propylated triphenyl phosphates, also commercially available from GLCC under the trademarks Durad® 220 and 110.

In another embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise at least one fullerene. Fullerenes are closed carbon cages that are bonded as hexagonal carbon rings (benzene) linked to each other partly via pentagons. The relationship between the number of apices (a, carbon atoms) and hexagon carbon rings (n) (pentagon rings always number 12) is given by: a=2(n+10). While this formula provides for all theoretical structures, only those molecules with relatively low stress and distortion will be stable. Representative fullerenes include but are not limited to Buckminsterfullerene (C60, or “bucky ball”, CAS reg. no. [99685-96-8]), and [5,6]fullerene-C₇₀ (C70, CAS reg. no. [115383-22-7]), fullerene-C₇₆ (CAS reg. no. [135113-15-4]), fullerene-C₇₈ (CAS reg. no. [136316-32-0]), and fullerene-C₈₄ (CAS reg. no. [135113-16-5]).

In another embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise at least one aryl alkyl ether. The aryl alkyl ether stabilizers of the present invention may be depicted by Formula C, wherein n is 1, 2 or 3 and R¹ is an alkyl group of 1 to 16 carbon atoms.

Representative aryl alkyl ethers include but are not limited to anisole, 1,4-dimethoxybenzene, 1,4-diethoxybenzene and 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene.

In another embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise at least one functionalized perfluoropolyether. Such functionalized perfluoropolyethers may be perfluoropolyether- or perfluoroalkyl-containing and phosphorus-containing partially esterified aryl phosphates, aryl phosphonates and salts thereof, containing either (i) a mono- or poly-alkylene oxide linking group between the phosphorus and a fluorocarbon group, or (ii) no linking group between the phosphorus and fluorocarbon group as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,184,187, and references therein.

In another embodiment, the functionalized perlfuoropolyether stabilizers may be compounds as represented by Formula C above, which contain either a perfluoroalkyl or perfluoropolyether side chain. Further, the functionalized perfluoropolyether stabilizers may be perfluoropolyether alkyl alcohols comprising a perfluoropolyether segment and one or more alcohols segments having a general formula, —CH₂(C_(q)H_(2q))OH, wherein-C_(q)H_(2q) represents a divalent linear or branched alkyl radical where q is an integer from 1 to about 10 as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/156,348, filed Jun. 17, 2005.

In another embodiment, the functionalized perfluoropolyether stabilizers of the present invention may comprise substituted aryl pnictogen compositions having the structure [R_(f) ¹—(C_(t)R_((u+v)))]_(m)E(O)_(n)(C_(t)R¹ _((u+v+1)))_((3-m)), wherein R_(f) ¹ is a fluoropolyether chain having a formula weight ranging from about 400 to about 15,000, comprises repeat units, and is selected from the group consisting of:

(a) J-O—(CF(CF₃)CF₂O)_(c)(CFXO)_(d)CFZ—;

(b) J¹-O—(CF₂CF₂O)_(e)(CF₂O)_(f)CFZ¹—;

(c) J²-O—(CF(CF₃)CF₂O)_(j)CF(CF₃)CF₂—;

(d) J³-O—(CQ₂-CF₂CF₂—O)_(k)—CQ₂-CF₂—;

(e) J³-O—(CF(CF₃)CF₂O)_(g)(CF₂CF₂O)_(h)(CFXO)_(i)—CFZ—;

(f) J⁴-O—(CF₂CF₂O)_(r)CF₂—; and

(h) combinations of two or more thereof

wherein

J is a fluoroalkyl group selected from the group consisting of CF₃, C₂F₅, C₃F₇, CF₂Cl, C₂F₄Cl, C₃F₆Cl, and combinations of two or more thereof;

c and d are numbers such that the ratio of c:d ranges from about 0.01 to about 0.5;

X is F, CF₃, or combinations thereof;

Z is F, Cl or CF₃;

J¹ is a fluoroalkyl group selected from the group consisting of CF₃, C₂F₅, C₃F₇, CF₂Cl, C₂F₄Cl, and combinations of two or more thereof;

e and f are numbers such that the ratio of e:f ranges from about 0.3 to about 5;

Z¹ is F or Cl;

J² is C₂F₅, C₃F₇, or combinations thereof;

j is an average number such that the formula weight of R_(f) ranges from about 400 to about 15,000;

J³ is selected from the group consisting of CF₃, C₂F₅, C₃F₇, and combinations of two or more thereof;

k is an average number such that the formula weight of R_(f) ranges from about 400 to about 15,000;

s each Q is independently F, Cl, or H;

g, h and i are numbers such that (g+h) ranges from about 1 to about 50, the ratio of i:(g+h) ranges from about 0.1 to about 0.5;

J⁴ is CF₃, C₂F₅, or combinations thereof;

r is an average number such that the formula weight of R_(f) ranges from about 400 to about 15,000; and

each R and R¹ is independently H, a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, a halogen, OR³, OH, SO₃M, NR² ₂, R³OH, R³SO₃M, R³NR² ₂, R³NO₂, R³CN, C(O)OR³, C(O)OM, C(O)R³, or C(O)NR² ₂, or combinations of two or more thereof;

wherein

R² is independently H, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, or combinations of two or more thereof;

R³ is a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl; and

M is hydrogen or a metal, preferably not aluminum;

t is equal to (6+u);

u is any combination of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16;

v is independently either 2 or 4;

n is 0 or 1;

E is P, As, or Sb, and

m is greater than about 0.5 to about 3, provided that, when E=P, m=3.0 and t=6, R cannot be exclusively H or contain F; as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/167,330, filed Jun. 27, 2006.

In another embodiment, the functionalized perfluoropolyether stabilizers of the present invention may comprise aryl perfluoropolyethers, which are monofunctional aryl perfluoropolyethers having the formula of R_(f)—(Y)_(a)—(C_(t)R_((u+v))—(O—C_(t)R¹ _((u+v)))_(b)—R, difunctional aryl perfluoropolyethers having the formula of R_(f) ¹—[(Y)_(a)—(C_(t)R_((u+v)))—(O—C_(t)R¹ _((u+v)))_(b)—R]₂, or combinations thereof, wherein

each of R_(f) and R_(f) ¹ has a formula weight of about 400 to about 15,000;

R_(f) comprises repeat units selected from the group consisting of

(a) J-O—(CF(CF₃)CF₂O)_(c)(CFXO)_(d)CFZ—,

(b) J¹-O—(CF₂CF₂O)_(e)(CF₂O)_(f)CFZ¹—,

(c) J²-O—(CF(CF₃)CF₂O)_(j)CF(CF₃)—,

(d) J³-O—(OQ₂-CF₂CF₂—O)_(k)—CQ₂-,

(e) J³-O—(CF(CF₃)CF₂O)_(g)(CF₂CF₂O)_(h)(CFX—O)_(i)—CFZ—,

(f) J⁴-O—(CF₂CF₂O)_(k)CF₂—, and

(g) combinations of two or more thereof; and

where

the units with formulae CF₂CF₂O and CF₂O are randomly distributed along the chain;

J is CF₃, C₂F₅, C₃F₇, CF₂Cl, C₂F₄Cl, C₃F₆Cl, or combinations of two or more thereof;

c and d are numbers such that the c/d ratio ranges from about 0.01 to about 0.5;

X is —F, —CF₃, or combinations thereof;

Z is —F, —Cl or —CF₃;

Z¹ is —F or —Cl,

J¹ is CF₃, C₂F₅, C₃F₇, CF₂Cl, C₂F₄Cl, or combinations of two or more thereof;

e and f are numbers such that the e/f ratio ranges from about 0.3 to about 5;

J² is —C₂F₅, —C₃F₇, or combinations thereof;

j is an average number such that the formula weight of R_(f) ranges from about 400 to about 15,000;

J³ is CF₃, C₂F₅, C₃F₇, or combinations of two or more thereof;

k is an average number such that the formula weight of R_(f) ranges from about 400 to about 15,000;

each Q is independently —F, —Cl, or —H;

g, h and i are numbers such that (g+h) ranges from about 1 to about 50, the i/(g+h) ratio ranges from about 0.1 to about 0.5;

J⁴ is CF₃, C₂F₅, or combinations thereof;

k′ is an average number such that the formula weight of R_(f) ranges from about 400 to about 15,000;

each R is independently —H, a halogen, —OH, —SO₃M, NR³ ₂, —NO₂, —R⁴OH, —R⁴SO₃M, —R⁴NR³ ₂, —R⁴NO₂, —R⁴CN, —C(O)OR⁴, —C(O)OM, —C(O)R⁴, —C(O)NR³ ₂, or combinations of two or more thereof; except that when b=0, R cannot be four hydrogen atoms and —OH, or —Br, or —NH₂; or R cannot be solely H or —NO₂, or combinations thereof;

each R¹ is independently H, —R⁴, —OR⁴, a halogen, —OH, —SO₃M, —NR³ ₂, —NO₂, —CN, —R⁴OH, —R⁴SO₃M, —R⁴NR³ ₂, —R⁴NO₂, —R⁴CN, —C(O)OR⁴, —C(O)OM, —C(O)R⁴, C(O)NR³ ₂, or combinations of two or more thereof provided that if b=0, the combination of R and R² cannot be four or more hydrogen atoms and —OH, —Br, —NH₂, or —NO₂;

each R³ is independently H, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, or combinations of two or more thereof;

R⁴ is a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl;

M is a hydrogen or metal ion;

a is 0 or 1;

b is 0-5;

Y is a divalent radical —CH₂OCH₂—, —(CH₂)_(o)—O—, —(CF₂)_(n)—, —CF₂OCF₂—, —C(O)—, —C(S)—, or combinations of two or more thereof;

n is about 1 to about 5;

o is about 2 to about 5;

t is equal to 6+u;

u is any combination of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16;

v is independently either 2 or 4;

Rf¹ is —(CF₂CF₂O)_(e)(CF₂O)_(f)CF₂—, —(C₃F₆O)_(p)(CF₂CF₂O)_(q)(CFXO)_(r)CF₂—,

—(CF₂CF₂O)(C₃F₆O)_(w)CF(CF₃)—, —CF(CF₃)O(C₃F₆O)_(w)—Rf²—O (C₃F₆O)_(w)CF(CF₃)—,

—((CQ₂)CF₂CF₂O)_(s)CF₂CF₂—, or combinations of two or more thereof;

where

e, f, X, and Q are as defined above;

p, q and r are numbers such that (p+q) ranges from 1 to 50 and r/(p+q) ranges from 0.1 to 0.05;

each w is independently 2 to 45;

Rf² is linear or branched —C_(m)F_(2m)—;

m is 1-10; and

s is an average number such that the formula weight of R_(f) ¹ ranges from 400 to 15,000, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/218,259, filed Sep. 1, 2005.

In another embodiment, the stabilizer may comprise at least one polyoxyalkylated aromatic. The polyoxyalkylated aromatics are compounds represented by Formula C wherein the R¹ group is a polyoxyalkylated group comprising at least one —CH₂CH₂O— moiety. In another embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise at least one alkylated aromatic compound. Representative alkylated aromatics include but are not limited to alkylbenzene lubricants, both branched and linear, such as Zerol® 75, Zerol® 150 and Zerol® 500 (linear alkylbenzenes sold by Shrieve Chemicals) and HAB 22 (branched alkylbenzene sold by Nippon Oil).

In another embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise at least one oxetane. The oxetane stabilizers of the present invention may be a compound with one or more oxetane groups and is represented by Formula D, wherein R₁-R₆ are the same or different and can be selected from hydrogen, alkyl or substituted alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl.

Representative oxetane stabilizers include but are not limited to 3-ethyl-3-hydroxymethyl-oxetane, such as OXT-101 (Toagosei Co., Ltd); 3-ethyl-3-((phenoxy)methyl)-oxetane, such as OXT-211 (Toagosei Co., Ltd); and 3-ethyl-3-((2-ethyl-hexyloxy)methyl)-oxetane, such as OXT-212 (Toagosei Co., Ltd).

In another embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise ascorbic acid (CAS reg. no. [50-81-7]).

In another embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise at least one thiol. Thiol compounds, also known as mercaptans or hydrosulfides, are the sulfur analogs of the hydroxyl group containing alcohols. Representative thiol stabilizers include but are not limited to methanethiol (methyl mercaptan), ethanethiol (ethyl mercaptan), Coenzyme A (CAS reg. no. [85-61-0]), dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA, CAS reg. no. [2418-14-6]), grapefruit mercaptan ((R)-2-(4-methylcyclohex-3-enyl)propane-2-thiol, CAS reg. no. [83150-78-1]), cysteine ((R)-2-amino-3-sulfanyl-propanoic acid, CAS reg. no. [52-90-4]), and lipoamide (1,2-dithiolane-3-pentanamide, CAS reg. no. [940-69-2].

In another embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise at least one lactones. Lactones are cyclic esters that may be produced by the reaction of an alcohol group with a carboxylic acid group in the same molecule. Representative lactone stabilizers of the present invention include but are not limited to gamma-butyrolactone (CAS reg. no. [96-48-0]), delta-gluconolactone (CAS reg. no. [90-80-2]), gamma-undecalactone (CAS reg. no. [104-67-6]), 6,7-dihydro-4(5H)-benzofuranone (CAS reg. No. [16806-93-2]), and 5,7-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-[2,3(or 3,4)-dimethylphenyl]-2(3H)-benzofuranone (CAS reg. no [201815-03-4]) such as Irganox® HP-136 (Ciba).

In another embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise at least one thioether. Thioether stabilizers of the present invention include but are not limited to benzyl phenyl sulfide (CAS reg. no. [831-91-4]), diphenyl sulfide (CAS reg. no. [139-66-2]), commercially available from Ciba under the trademark Irganox® PS 802 (Ciba) and didodecyl 3,3′-thiopropionate, commercially available from Ciba under the trademark Irganox® PS 800 (Ciba), and mixtures thereof, meaning mixtures of any of the thioethers listed in this paragraph.

In another embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise at least one amine. In one embodiment the amine stabilizers comprise at least one compound selected from the group consisting of triethylamine, tributylamine, diisopropylamine, triisopropylamine, triisobutylamine, p-phenylenediamine, and diphenylamine. In another embodiment, the amine stabilizers comprise dialkylamines including (N-(1-methylethyl)-2-propylamine, CAS reg. no. [108-18-9]). In another embodiment the amine stabilizers include hindered amine antioxidants. Hindered amine antioxidants include amines derived from substituted piperidine compounds, in particular derivatives of an alkyl-substituted piperidyl, piperidinyl, piperazinone, or alkoxypiperidinyl compounds. Representative hindered amine antioxidants include 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone; 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinol; bis-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidyl)sebacate (CAS reg. no. [41556-26-7]); di-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate, such as the hindered amine commercially available under the trademark Tinuvin® 770 by Ciba; poly-(N-hydroxyethyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxy-piperidyl succinate (CAS reg. no. [65447-77-0]), such as that commercially available under the trademark Tinuvin® 622LD from Ciba; alkylated paraphenylenediamines, such as N-phenyl-N′-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-p-phenylenediamine, or N,N′-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine; and hydroxylamines such as tallow amines or N-methylbis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)amine. Some other hindered amine antioxidants include the amine antioxidant commercially available from Ciba under the trademark Tinuvin® 765, or commercially available from Mayzo, Inc. under the trademark BLS® 1944 and BLS® 1770. The amines also include mixtures of any of the amines listed in this paragraph.

In another embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise nitromethane (CH₃NO₂, CAS reg. no. [75-52-5]).

In another embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise at least one alkyl silane. Silanes are compounds similar to hydrocarbons wherein a silicon atom replaces each carbon. Alkyl silane stabilizers include but are not limited to bis(dimethylamino)methylsilane (DMAMS, CAS reg. no. [22705-33-5]), tris(trimethylsilyl)silane (TTMSS, CAS reg. no. [1873-77-4]), vinyltriethyoxysilane (VTES, CAS reg. no. [78-08-0]), and vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMO, CAS reg. no. [2768-02-7]).

In another embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise at least one benzophenone derivative. Benzophenone derivative stabilizers comprise benzophenone that may be substituted with side groups including halides, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, amino groups, hydroxyl groups, alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl or propyl groups, aryl groups such as phenyl, nitro groups, or any combinations of such groups. Representative benzophenone derivative stabilizers include but are not limited to: 2,5-difluorobenzophenone; 2′,5′-dihydroxyacetophenone; 2-aminobenzophenone; 2-chlorobenzophenone; 2-fluorobenzophenone; 2-hydroxybenzophenone; 2-methylbenzophenone; 2-amino-4′-chlorobenzophenone; 2-amino-4′-fluorobenzophenone; 2-amino-5-bromo-2′-chlorobenzophenone; 2-amino-5-chlorobenzophenone; 2-amino-5-chloro-2′-fluorobenzophenone; 2-amino-5-nitrobenzophenone; 2-amino-5-nitro-2′-chlorobenzophenone; 2-amino-2′,5-dichlorobenzophenone; 2-chloro-4′-fluorobenzophenone; 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone; 2-hydroxy-5-chlorobenzophenone; 2-methylamino-5-chlorobenzophenone; 3-methylbenzophenone; 3-nitrobenzophenone; 3-nitro-4′-chloro-4-fluorobenzophenone; 4-chlorobenzophenone; 4-fluorobenzophenone; 4-hydroxybenzophenone; 4-methoxybenzophenone; 4-methylbenzophenone; 4-nitrobenzophenone; 4-phenylbenzophenone; 4-chloro-3-nitrobenzophenone; 4-hydroxy-4′-chlorobenzophenone; 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone; 2,4-dimethylbenzophenone; 2,5-dimethylbenzophenone; 3,4-diaminobenzophenone; 3,4-dichlorobenzophenone; 3,4-difluorobenzophenone; 3,4-dihydroxybenzophenone; 3,4-dimethylbenzophenone; 4,4′-bis(diethylamine)benzophenone; 4,4′-bis(dimethylamine)benzophenone; 4,4′-dichlorobenzophenone; 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone; 4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone; and 4,4′-dimethoxybenzophenone.

In another embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise at least one aryl sulfide. The aryl sulfide stabilizers comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of benzyl phenyl sulfide, diphenyl sulfide, and dibenzyl sulfide.

In another embodiment, the stabilizers of the present invention comprise at least one terephthalate. The terephthalate stabilizers include divinyl terephthalate (CAS reg. no. [13486-19-0]) and diphenyl terephthalate (CAS reg. no. [1539-04-4]).

In one embodiment, the compositions of the present invention further comprising at least one additional stabilizer compound selected from the group consisting of phenols, phosphites, terpenes, terpenoids, and mixtures thereof.

In another embodiment, the additional stabilizer may comprise at least one phenol. Phenol stabilizers comprise any substituted or unsubstituted phenol compound including phenols comprising one or more substituted or unsubstituted cyclic, straight chain, or branched aliphatic substituent group, such as, alkylated monophenols including 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol; 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol; 2,4-dimethyl-6-tertbutylphenol; tocopherol; and the like, hydroquinone and alkylated hydroquinones including t-butyl hydroquinone, other derivatives of hydroquinone; and the like, hydroxylated thiodiphenyl ethers, including 4,4′-thio-bis(2-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol); 4,4′-thiobis(3-methyl-6-tertbutylphenol); 2,2′-thiobis(4methyl-6-tert-butylphenol); and the like, alkylidene-bisphenols including: 4,4′-methylenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol); 4,4′-bis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol); derivatives of 2,2′- or 4,4-biphenoldiols; 2,2′-methylenebis(4-ethyl-6-tertbutylphenol); 2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tertbutylphenol); 4,4-butylidenebis(3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol); 4,4-isopropylidenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol); 2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-nonylphenol); 2,2′-isobutylidenebis(4,6-dimethylphenol; 2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-cyclohexylphenol, 2,2- or 4,4-biphenyldiols including 2,2′-methylenebis(4-ethyl-6-tert-butylphenol); butylatedhydroxy toluene (BHT), bisphenols comprising heteroatoms including 2,6-di-tert-alpha-dimethylamino-p-cresol, 4,4-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-m-cresol); and the like; acylaminophenols; 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4(N,N′-dimethylaminomethylphenol); sulfides including; bis(3-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butylbenzyl)sulfide; bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)sulfide; and mixtures thereof, meaning mixtures of any of the phenol stabilizers listed in this paragraph.

In another embodiment, the additional stabilizer may comprise at least one phosphite. Phosphite stabilizers may be derived from substituted phosphites, including hindered phosphites. In particular, hindered phosphites are derivatives of alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl phosphite compounds. The hindered phosphites include tris-(di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite, di-n-octyl phosphite, and iso-decyl diphenyl phosphate. Tris-(di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite is sold under the trademark Irgafos® 168, di-n-octyl phosphite is sold under the trademark Irgafos® OPH, and iso-decyl diphenyl phosphite) is sold under the trademark Irgafos® DDPP, all by Ciba.

In another embodiment, the additional stabilizer may comprise at least one terpene. Terpenes comprise hydrocarbon compounds characterized by structures containing more than one repeating isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene) unit. Representative terpenes include but are not limited to myrcene (2-methyl-6-methyl-eneocta-1,7-diene), allo-ocimene, beta-ocimene, terebene, limonene (in particular d-limonene), retinal, pinene, menthol, geraniol, farnesol, phytol, Vitamin A, terpinene, delta-3-carene, terpinolene, phellandrene, fenchene, dipentene, and mixtures thereof, meaning mixtures of any of the terpene stabilizers listed in this paragraph. Terpene stabilizers are commercially available or may be prepared by methods known in the art or isolated from natural sources.

In another embodiment, the additional stabilizer may comprise at least one terpenoid. Terpenoids comprise natural products and related compounds characterized by structures containing more than one repeating isoprene unit and usually contain oxygen. Representative terpenoids include carotenoids, such as lycopene (CAS reg. no. [502-65-8]), beta carotene (CAS reg. no. [7235-40-7]), and xanthophylls, i.e. zeaxanthin (CAS reg. no. [144-68-3]); retinoids, such as hepaxanthin (CAS reg. no. [512-39-0]), and isotretinoin (CAS reg. no. [4759-48-2]); abietane (CAS reg. no. [640-43-7]); ambrosane (CAS reg. no. [24749-18-6]); aristolane (CAS reg. no. [29788-49-6]); atisane (CAS reg. no. [24379-83-7]); beyerane (CAS reg. no. [2359-83-3]), bisabolane (CAS reg. no. [29799-19-7]); bornane (CAS reg. no. [464-15-3]); caryophyllane (CAS reg. no. [20479-00-9]); cedrane (CAS reg. no. [13567-54-9]); dammarane (CAS reg. no. [545-22-2]); drimane (CAS reg. no. [5951-58-6]); eremophilane (CAS reg. no. [3242-05-5]); eudesmane (CAS reg. no. [473-11-0]); fenchane (CAS reg. no. [6248-88-0]); gammacerane (CAS reg. no. [559-65-9]); germacrane (CAS reg. no. [645-10-3]); gibbane (CAS reg. no. [6902-95-0]); grayanotoxane (CAS reg. no. [39907-73-8]); guaiane (CAS reg. no. [489-80-5]); himachalane (CAS reg. no. [20479-45-2]); hopane (CAS reg. no. [471-62-5]); humulane (CAS reg. no. [430-19-3]); kaurane (CAS reg. no. [1573-40-6]); labdane (CAS reg. no. [561-90-0]); lanostane (CAS reg. no. [474-20-4]); lupane (CAS reg. no. [464-99-3]); p-menthane (CAS reg. no. [99-82-1]); oleanane (CAS reg. no. [471-67-0]); ophiobolane (CAS reg. no. [20098-65-1]); picrasane (CAS reg. no. [35732-97-9]); pimarane (CAS reg. no. [30257-03-5]); pinane (CAS reg. no. [473-55-2]); podocarpane (CAS reg. no. [471-78-3]); protostane (CAS reg. no. [70050-78-1]); rosane (CAS reg. no. [6812-82-4]); taxane (CAS reg. no. [1605-68-1]); thujane (CAS reg. no. [471-12-5]); trichothecane (CAS reg. no. [24706-08-9]), ursane (CAS reg. no. [464-93-7]), and mixtures thereof, meaning mixtures of any of the terpenoids listed in this paragraphs. The terpenoids of the present invention are commercially available or may be prepared by methods known in the art or may be isolated from the naturally occurring source.

Unless otherwise noted above, the stabilizers of the present invention are commercially available from various chemical supply houses.

Single stabilizer compounds may be used in combination in the present compositions comprising at least one fluoroolefin or multiple stabilizer compounds may be combined in any proportion to serve as a stabilizer blend. The stabilizer blend may contain multiple stabilizer compounds from the same class of compounds or multiple stabilizer compounds from different classes of compounds. For example, a stabilizer blend may contain 2 or more thiophosphates, or one or more thiophosphate in combination with one or more lactones.

Additionally, some of the stabilizer compounds exist as multiple configurational isomers or stereoisomers. Single isomers or multiple isomers of the same compound may be used in any proportion to prepare the stabilizer blend. Further, single or multiple isomers of a given compound may be combined in any proportion with any number of other compounds to serve as a stabilizer blend. The present invention is intended to include all single configurational isomers, single stereoisomers or any combination or mixture thereof.

The present invention further provides a composition comprising at least one fluoroolefin selected from the group consisting of HFC-1225ye, HFC-1234yf, HFC-1234ze and HFC-1243zf, and an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising at least one epoxide, fluorinated expoxide or mixtures thereof.

Of particular note are stabilizer compositions comprising combinations of compounds that provide an unexpected level of stabilization. Certain of these combinations may serve as synergistic stabilizer compositions, that is, the compositions of compounds that augment each others' efficiency in a formulation and the stabilization obtained is larger than that expected from the sum of the contributions of the individual components. Such synergistic stabilizer compositions may comprise at least one phosphorus-containing compound and any of the additional compounds selected from the group consisting of terpenes and terpenoids, fullerenes, epoxides, fluorinated epoxides, oxetanes, divinylterephthalate, and diphenylterephthalate, and mixtures thereof, meaning mixtures of any of the foregoing additional compounds with a phosphorus-containing compound.

A limiting factor in the effectiveness of a stabilizer composition is the consumption of stabilizer and loss of functionality over the time of active use. Of particular note are synergistic stabilizer compositions comprising mixtures of stabilizers that include components capable of regenerating the consumed stabilizer during active use, hereinafter referred to as regenerative stabilizers. Unlike multi-functional single, large stabilizer compounds comprising multiple stabilizing functional groups, regenerative stabilizers comprising small “synergistic” stabilizers function with higher mobility and higher stabilization rates (meaning higher rates of reaction by which the stabilization is occurring). Regenerative stabilizer composition contains one or more stabilizers that can replenish itself or themselves after use, so that over long-term use, the composition's efficacy is maintained.

An example of a regenerative stabilizer is at least one epoxide or fluorinated epoxide and at least one amine. Amines for inclusion in the regenerative stabilizer compositions may comprise any of the hindered amine antioxidants as described previously herein. Of particular note, are those hindered amines derived from substituted piperidine compounds, in particular derivatives of an alkyl-substituted piperidyl, piperidinyl, piperazinone, or alkoxypiperidinyl compounds, and mixtures thereof. Representative hindered amine antioxidants are 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone; 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinol; bis-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidyl) sebacate (CAS reg. no. [41556-26-7]); di-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate, such as the hindered amine commercially available under the trademark Tinuvin® 770 by Ciba; poly-(N-hydroxyethyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxy-piperidyl succinate (CAS reg. no. [65447-77-0]), such as that commercially available under the trademark Tinuvin® 622LD from Ciba; alkylated paraphenylenediamines, such as N-phenyl-N′-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-p-phenylenediamine, or N,N′-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine; and hydroxylamines such as tallow amines or N-methylbis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl)amine. Some other hindered amine antioxidants include the amine antioxidant commercially available from Ciba under the trademark Tinuvin® 765, or commercially available from Mayzo, Inc. under the trademark BLS® 1944 and BLS® 1770. The amines also include mixtures of any of the amines listed in this paragraph.

Another example of regenerative stabilizer is a stabilizer which comprises at least one epoxide or fluorinated epoxide, combined with at least one phosphite. Of particular note are phosphites, which can be derived from substituted phosphites in particular, derivatives of alky, aryl phosphite compounds. Representative phosphites which can be used for regenerative stabilizers include (tris-(di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite), sold under the trademark Irgafos® 168, (di-n-octyl phosphite), sold under the trademark Irgafos® OPH and (Iso-decyl diphenyl phosphite), sold under the trademark Irgafos® DDPP (all from Ciba).

In another embodiment, any stabilizer composition as described above herein may further comprise at least one metal deactivator selected from the group consisting of areoxalyl bis(benzylidene)hydrazide (CAS reg. no. 6629-10-3); N,N′-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamoylhydrazine) (CAS reg. no. 32687-78-8); 2,2′-oxamidobis-ethyl-(3,5-d-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydorcinnamate) (CAS reg. no. 70331-94-1); N,N′-(disalicyclidene)-1,2-propanediamine (CAS reg. no. 94-91-1); ethyenediaminetetraacetic acid (CAS reg. no. 60-00-4) and salts thereof; triazoles; benzotriazole, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, tolutriazole derivatives, N,N-disalicylidene-1,2-diaminopropane, and mixtures thereof.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a composition comprising a. at least one fluoroolefin; and b. an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising i) at least one epoxide, fluorinated epoxide or mixture thereof; ii) at least one phosphite, phenol, terpene, terpenoid, or mixture thereof; and iii) at least one metal deactivator selected from the group consisting of areoxalyl bis(benzylidene)hydrazide; N,N′-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamoylhydrazine); 2,2′-oxamidobis-ethyl-(3,5-d-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydorcinnamate); N,N′-(disalicyclidene)-1,2-propanediamine; ethyenediaminetetraacetic acid and salts thereof; triazoles; benzotriazole, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, tolutriazole derivatives, N,N-disalicylidene-1,2-diaminopropane, and mixtures thereof. Phosphites suitable for inclusion in the above mentioned compositions may be hindered phosphites derived from substituted phosphites. In particular, hindered phosphites are derivatives of alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl phosphite compounds. Representative hindered phosphites are Irgafos 168 (Tris-(di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite), Irgafos OPH (Di-n-octyl phosphite), and Irgafos DDPP (Iso-decyl diphenyl phosphite) (all from Ciba). Phenols suitable for inclusion in the above mentioned compositions may be any substituted or unsubstituted phenol compound including phenols comprising one or more substituted or unsubstituted cyclic, straight chain, or branched aliphatic substituent group, such as, alkylated monophenols including 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol; 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol; 2,4-dimethyl-6-tertbutylphenol; tocopherol; and the like, hydroquinone and alkylated hydroquinones including t-butyl hydroquinone, other derivatives of hydroquinone; and the like, hydroxylated thiodiphenyl ethers, including 4,4′-thio-bis(2-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol); 4,4′-thiobis(3-methyl-6-tertbutylphenol); 2,2′-thiobis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol); and the like, alkylidene-bisphenols including: 4,4′-methylenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol); 4,4′-bis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol); derivatives of 2,2′- or 4,4-biphenoldiols; 2,2′-methylenebis(4-ethyl-6-tertbutylphenol); 2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol); 4,4-butylidenebis(3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol); 4,4-isopropylidenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol); 2,2′-methyleenbis(4-methyl-6-nonylphenol); 2,2′-isobutylidenebis(4,6-dimethylphenol; 2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-cyclohexylphenol, 2,2- or 4,4-biphenyldiols including 2,2′-methylenebis(4-ethyl-6-tert-butylphenol); butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT), bisphenols comprising heteroatoms including 2,6-di-tert-alpha-dimethylamino-p-cresol, 4,4-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-m-cresol); and the like; acylaminophenols; 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4(N,N′-dimethylaminomethylphenol); sulfides including; bis(3-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butylbenzyl)sulfide; bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)sulfide; and the like. Terpenes suitable for inclusion in the above mentioned compositions are hydrocarbon compounds characterized by structures containing one or more repeating isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene) unit. Terpenes may be acyclic or cyclic. Representative terpenes include but are not limited to isoprene, myrcene (2-methyl-6-methyl-eneocta-1,7-diene), allo-cimene, beta-ocimene, terebene, limonene (in particular d-limonene), retinal, pinene, menthol, geraniol, farnesol, phytol, Vitamin A, terpinene, delta-3-carene, terpinolene, phellandrene, fenchene, dipentene, and mixtures thereof. Terpene stabilizers are commercially available or may be prepared by methods known in the art or isolated from natural sources. Terpenoids suitable for inclusion in the above mentioned compositions are natural products and related compounds characterized by structures containing more than one repeating isoprene unit and usually contain oxygen. Representative terpenoids include carotenoids, such as lycopene (CAS reg. no. [502-65-8]), betacarotene (CAS reg. no. [7235-40-7]), and xanthophylls, i.e. zeaxanthin (CAS reg. no. [144-68-3]); retinoids, such as hepaxanthin (CAS reg. no. [512-39-0]), and isotretinoin (CAS reg. no. [4759-48-2]); abietane (CAS reg. no. [640-43-7]); ambrosane (CAS reg. no. [24749-18-6]); aristolane (CAS reg. no. [29788-49-6]); atisane (CAS reg. no. [24379-83-7]); beyerane (CAS reg. no. [2359-83-3]), bisabolane (CAS reg. no. [29799-19-7]); bornane (CAS reg. no. [464-15-3]); caryophyllane (CAS reg. no. [20479-00-9]); cedrane (CAS reg. no. [13567-54-9]); dammarane (CAS reg. no. [545-22-2]); drimane (CAS reg. no. [5951-58-6]); eremophilane (CAS reg. no. [3242-05-5]); eudesmane (CAS reg. no. [473-11-0]); fenchane (CAS reg. no. [6248-88-0]); gammacerane (CAS reg. no. [559-65-9]); germacrane (CAS reg. no. [645-10-3]); gibbane (CAS reg. no. [6902-95-0]); grayanotoxane (CAS reg. no. [39907-73-8]); guaiane (CAS reg. no. [489-80-5]); himachalane (CAS reg. no. [20479-45-2]); hopane (CAS reg. no. [471-62-5]); humulane (CAS reg. no. [430-19-3]); kaurane (CAS reg. no. [1573-40-6]); labdane (CAS reg. no. [561-90-0]); lanostane (CAS reg. no. [474-20-4]); lupane (CAS reg. no. [464-99-3]); p-menthane (CAS reg. no. [99-82-1]); oleanane (CAS reg. no. [471-67-0]); ophiobolane (CAS reg. no. [20098-65-1]); picrasane (CAS reg. no. [35732-97-9]); pimarane (CAS reg. no. [30257-03-5]); pinane (CAS reg. no. [473-55-2]); podocarpane (CAS reg. no. [471-78-3]); protostane (CAS reg. no. [70050-78-1]); rosane (CAS reg. no. [6812-82-4]); taxane (CAS reg. no. [1605-68-1]); thujane (CAS reg. no. [471-12-5]); trichothecane (CAS reg. no. [24706-08-9]); and ursane (CAS reg. no. [464-93-7]). The terpenoids of the present invention may be prepared by methods known in the art or may be isolated from the naturally occurring source.

The compositions of the present invention may further comprise at least one additional compound selected from the group consisting of fluoroolefins (as described previously herein), hydrofluorocarbons, hydrocarbons, dimethyl ether, CF₃I, carbon dioxide (CO₂), ammonia, and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, additional compounds comprise at least one hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) compound. Hydrofluorocarbons of the present invention comprise saturated compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, and fluorine. Of particular utility are hydrofluorocarbons having 1-7 carbon atoms and having a normal boiling point of from about −90° C. to about 80° C. Hydrofluorocarbons are commercial products available from a number of sources such as E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Fluoroproducts, Wilmington, Del., 19898, USA, or may be prepared by methods known in the art. Representative hydrofluorocarbon compounds include but are not limited to fluoromethane (CH₃F, HFC-41), difluoromethane (CH₂F₂, HFC-32), trifluoromethane (CHF₃, HFC-23), pentafluoroethane (CF₃CHF₂, HFC-125), 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (CHF₂CHF₂, HFC-134), 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (CF₃CH₂F, HFC-134a), 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (CF₃CH₃, HFC-143a), 1,1-difluoroethane (CHF₂CH₃, HFC-152a), fluoroethane (CH₃CH₂F, HFC-161), 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoropropane (CF₃CF₂CHF₂, HFC-227ca), 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (CF₃CHFCF₃, HFC-227ea), 1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane (CHF₂CF₂CHF₂, HFC-236ca), 1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluoropropane (CF₃CF₃CH₂F, HFC-236cb), 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane (CF₃CHFCHF₂, HFC-236ea), 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane (CF₃CH₂CF₃, HFC-236fa), 1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane (CHF₂CF₂CH₂F, HFC-245ca), 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane (CF₃CF₂CH₃, HFC-245cb), 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoropropane (CHF₂CHFCHF₂, HFC-245ea), 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane (CF₃CHFCH₂F, HFC-245eb), 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (CF₃CH₂CHF₂, HFC-245fa), 1,2,2,3-tetrafluoropropane (CH₂FCF₂CH₂F, HFC-254ca), 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoropropane (CHF₂CF₂CH₃, HFC-254cb), 1,1,2,3-tetrafluoropropane (CHF₂CHFCH₂F, HFC-254ea), 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (CF₃CHFCH₃, HFC-254eb), 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropane (CHF₂CH₂CHF₂, HFC-254fa), 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoropropane (CF₃CH₂CH₂F, HFC-254fb), 1,1,1-trifluoropropane (CF₃CH₂CH₃, HFC-263fb), 2,2-difluoropropane (CH₃CF₂CH₃, HFC-272ca), 1,2-difluoropropane (CH₂FCHFCH₃, HFC-272ea), 1,3-difluoropropane (CH₂FCH₂CH₂F, HFC-272fa), 1,1-difluoropropane (CHF₂CH₂CH₃, HFC-272fb), 2-fluoropropane (CH₃CHFCH₃, HFC-281ea), 1-fluoropropane (CH₂FCH₂CH₃, HFC-281fa), 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-octafluorobutane (CHF₂CF₂CF₂CHF₂, HFC-338pcc), 1,1,1,2,2,4,4,4-octafluorobutane (CF₃CH₂CF₂CF₃, HFC-338mf), 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane (CF₃CH₂CHF₂, HFC-365mfc), 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,5-decafluoropentane (CF₃CHFCHFCF₂CF₃, HFC-43-10mee), and 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-tetradecafluoroheptane (CF₃CF₂CHFCHFCF₂CF₂CF₃, HFC-63-14mee).

In another embodiment, additional compounds comprise at least one hydrocarbon. The hydrocarbons of the present invention comprise compounds having only carbon and hydrogen. Of particular utility are compounds having 3-7 carbon atoms. Hydrocarbons are commercially available through numerous chemical suppliers. Representative hydrocarbons include but are not limited to propane, n-butane, isobutane, cyclobutane, n-pentane, 2-methylbutane, 2,2-dimethylpropane, cyclopentane, n-hexane, 2-methylpentane, 2,2-dimethylbutane, 2,3-dimethylbutane, 3-methylpentane, cyclohexane, n-heptane, and cycloheptane.

In another embodiment, additional compounds may also comprise hydrocarbons containing heteroatoms, such as dimethylether (DME, CH₃OCH₃. DME is commercially available.

In another embodiment, additional compounds may also comprise iodotrifluoromethane (CF₃I), which is commercially available from various sources or may be prepared by methods known in the art.

In another embodiment, additional compounds may also comprise carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is commercially available from various sources or may be prepared by methods known in the art.

In another embodiment, additional compounds may also comprise ammonia (NH₃), which is commercially available from various sources or may be prepared by methods known in the art.

In another embodiment, of particular note are additional compounds including compositions comprising: HFC-1225ye and HFC-32; HFC-1225ye and HFC-134a; HFC-1225ye, HFC-134a, and HFC-32; HFC-1225ye and HFC-1234yf; HFC-1225ye, HFC-1234yf, and HFC-32; and HFC-1225ye, HFC-1234yf and HFC-125.

In another embodiment, additional compounds include compositions comprising fluoroolefins as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/369,227 filed Mar. 2, 2006; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/393,109 filed Mar. 30, 2006; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/486,791 filed Jul. 13, 2006; are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

The compositions of the present invention may further comprise at least one lubricant. Lubricants of the present invention comprise those suitable for use with refrigeration or air-conditioning apparatus. Among these lubricants are those conventionally used in compression refrigeration apparatus utilizing chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants. Such lubricants and their properties are discussed in the 1990 ASHRAE Handbook, Refrigeration Systems and Applications, chapter 8, titled “Lubricants in Refrigeration Systems”, pages 8.1 through 8.21, herein incorporated by reference. Lubricants of the present invention may comprise those commonly known as “mineral oils” in the field of compression refrigeration lubrication. Mineral oils comprise paraffins (i.e. straight-chain and branched-carbon-chain, saturated hydrocarbons), naphthenes (i.e. cyclic or ring structure saturated hydrocarbons, which may be paraffins) and aromatics (i.e. unsaturated, cyclic hydrocarbons containing one or more rings characterized by alternating double bonds). Lubricants of the present invention further comprise those commonly known as “synthetic oils” in the field of compression refrigeration lubrication. Synthetic oils comprise alkylaryls (i.e. linear and branched alkyl alkylbenzenes), synthetic paraffins and naphthenes, silicones, and polyalphaolefins. Representative conventional lubricants of the present invention are the commercially available BVM 100 N (paraffinic mineral oil sold by BVA Oils), napthenic mineral oil commercially available under the trademark from Suniso® 3GS and Suniso® 5GS by Crompton Co., naphthenic mineral oil commercially available from Pennzoil under the trademark Sontex® 372LT, naphthenic mineral oil commercially available from Calumet Lubricants under the trademark Calumet® RO-30, linear alkylbenzenes commercially available from Shrieve Chemicals under the trademarks Zerol® 75, Zerol® 150 and Zerol® 500 and branched alkylbenzene, sold by Nippon Oil as HAB 22.

Lubricants of the present invention further comprise those which have been designed for use with hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants and are miscible with refrigerants of the present invention under compression refrigeration and air-conditioning apparatus' operating conditions. Such lubricants and their properties are discussed in “Synthetic Lubricants and High-Performance Fluids”, R. L. Shubkin, editor, Marcel Dekker, 1993. Such lubricants include, but are not limited to, polyol esters (POEs) such as Castrol® 100 (Castrol, United Kingdom), polyalkylene glycols (PAGs) such as RL-488A from Dow (Dow Chemical, Midland, Mich.), and polyvinyl ethers (PVEs).

Lubricants of the present invention are selected by considering a given compressor's requirements and the environment to which the lubricant will be exposed.

The compositions of the present invention that may be prepared by any convenient method to combine the desired amount of the individual components. A preferred method is to weigh the desired component amounts and thereafter combine the components in an appropriate vessel. Agitation may be used, if desired.

Any suitable effective amount of stabilizer may be used in the compositions comprising at least one fluoroolefin. As described herein, the phrase “effective amount” refers to an amount of stabilizer of the present invention which, when added to a composition comprising at least one fluoroolefin, results in a composition that will not degrade to produce as great a reduction in refrigeration performance when in use in a cooling apparatus as compared to the composition without stabilizer. Such effective amounts of stabilizer may be determined by way of testing under the conditions of standard test ASHRAE 97-2004. In a certain embodiment of the present invention, an effective amount may be said to be that amount of stabilizer that when combined with a composition comprising at least one fluoroolefin allows a cooling apparatus utilizing said composition comprising at least one fluoroolefin to perform at the same level of refrigeration performance and cooling capacity as if a composition comprising 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a), or other standard refrigerant (R12, R22, R502, R507A, R508, R401A, R401B, R402A, R402B, R408, R410A, R404A, R407C, R413A, R417A, R422A, R422B, R422C, R422D, R423, R114, R11, R113, R123, R124, R236fa, or R245fa) depending upon what refrigerant may have been used in a similar system in the past, were being utilized as the working fluid.

Certain embodiments include effective amounts of stabilizer for use in the present invention that comprise from about 0.001 weight percent to about 10 weight percent, more preferably from about 0.01 weight percent to about 5 weight percent, even more preferably from about 0.3 weight percent to about 4 weight percent and even more preferably from about 0.3 weight percent to about 1 weight percent based on the total weight of compositions comprising at least one fluoroolefin as described herein.

The present invention further relates to a method for stabilizing a composition comprising at least one fluoroolefin, said method comprising adding an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising: a. at least one epoxide or fluorinated epoxide; and b. at least one compound selected from the group consisting of thiophosphates, butylated triphenylphosphorothionates, organophosphates, fullerenes, functionalized perfluoropolyethers, polyoxyalkylated aromatics, alkylated aromatics, oxetanes, ascorbic acid, thiols, lactones, thioethers, amines, nitromethane, alkylsilanes, benzophenone derivatives, aryl sulfides, divinyl terephthalate, diphenyl terephthalate, and mixtures thereof.

The present invention further relates to a process for producing cooling comprising condensing a composition comprising at least one fluoroolefin and an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising: a. at least one epoxide or fluorinated epoxide; and b. at least one compound selected from the group consisting of thiophosphates, butylated triphenylphosphorothionates, organophosphates, fullerenes, functionalized perfluoropolyethers, polyoxyalkylated aromatics, alkylated aromatics, oxetanes, ascorbic acid, thiols, lactones, thioethers, amines, nitromethane, alkylsilanes, benzophenone derivatives, aryl sulfides, divinyl terephthalate, diphenyl terephthalate, and mixtures thereof, and thereafter evaporating said composition in the vicinity of a body to be cooled.

A body to be cooled may be any space, location or object requiring refrigeration or air-conditioning. In stationary applications the body may be the interior of a structure, i.e. residential or commercial, or a storage location for perishables, such as food or pharmaceuticals. For mobile refrigeration applications the body may be incorporated into a transportation unit for the road, rail, sea or air. Certain refrigeration systems operate independently with regards to any moving carrier, these are known as “intermodal” systems. Such intermodal systems include “containers” (combined sea/land transport) as well as “swap bodies” (combined road and rail transport).

The present invention further relates to a process for producing heat comprising condensing a composition comprising at least one fluoroolefin and an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising: a. at least one epoxide or fluorinated epoxide; and b. at least one compound selected from the group consisting of thiophosphates, butylated triphenylphosphorothionates, organophosphates, fullerenes, functionalized perfluoropolyethers, polyoxyalkylated aromatics, alkylated aromatics, oxetanes, ascorbic acid, thiols, lactones, thioethers, amines, nitromethane, alkylsilanes, benzophenone derivatives, aryl sulfides, divinyl terephthalate, diphenyl terephthalate, and mixtures thereof in the vicinity of a body to be heated, and thereafter evaporating said composition.

A body to be heated may be any space, location or object requiring heat. These may be the interior of structures either residential or commercial in a similar manner to the body to be cooled. Additionally, mobile units as described for cooling may be similar to those requiring heating. Certain transport units require heating to prevent the material being transported from solidifying inside the transport container.

It is not uncommon for air to leak into a refrigeration, air-conditioning system or heat pump. The oxygen in the air may lead to oxidation of certain components of the system including the working fluid. Thus, in another embodiment, also disclosed is a method for reducing degradation of a composition comprising at least one fluoroolefin, wherein said degradation is caused by the presence of inadvertent air; for example in a refrigeration, air-conditioning or heat pump system, said method comprising adding an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising at least one epoxide or fluorinated epoxide and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of thiophosphates, butylated triphenylphosphorothionates, organo phosphates, fullerenes, functionalized perfluoropolyethers, polyoxyalkylated aromatics, alkylated aromatics, oxetanes, ascorbic acid, thiols, lactones, thioethers, amines, nitromethane, alkylsilanes, benzophenone derivatives, aryl sulfides, divinyl terephthalate, diphenyl terephthalate, and mixtures thereof to the composition comprising at least one fluoroolefin.

In another embodiment, also disclosed is a method for reducing reaction with oxygen for a composition comprising at least one fluoroolefins, said method comprising adding an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising at least one epoxide or fluorinated epoxide and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of thiophosphates, butylated triphenylphosphorothionates, organo phosphates, fullerenes, functionalized perfluoropolyethers, polyoxyalkylated aromatics, alkylated aromatics, oxetanes, ascorbic acid, thiols, lactones, thioethers, amines, nitromethane, alkylsilanes, benzophenone derivatives, aryl sulfides, divinyl terephthalate, diphenyl terephthalate, and mixtures thereof to the composition comprising at least one fluoroolefin.

EXAMPLE Refrigeration System Chemical Stability

A chemical stability test is run under conditions described in ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) Standard 97-2004 to determine chemical stability of the stabilized compositions of the present invention as compared to compositions with no stabilizers.

The procedure is given here:

-   1. Metal coupons of copper, aluminum and steel are placed in thick     walled glass tubes. -   2. Working fluid samples, including lubricant, are prepared with and     without stabilizers, and optionally with 2 volume % air added to the     tube. -   3. Samples are added to the glass tubes as described in the     standard. -   4. The tubes are sealed with a glass blowing torch. -   5. The sealed tubes are heated in an oven for 14 days at the     specified temperature. -   6. After 14 days, the sealed tubes are removed from the oven and     examined for metal/liquid appearance, proper volume of liquid,     appearance of glass, and absence of extraneous materials such as     metal fines. -   7. Ratings are assigned to each sample based upon the following     criteria (per industry practice):     -   1=light changes on coupons and liquids;     -   2=light to moderate changes on coupons or liquids;     -   3=moderate to significant changes on coupons or liquids;     -   4=severe changes on coupons or liquids;     -   5=extreme changes on coupons or liquids, i.e. black liquid or         coked with many deposits.

Table 4 lists estimated results for stabilizers of the present invention as compared to unstabilized compositions. Ucon® PAG 488 is a trademark for a polyalkylene glycol lubricant commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company. Irgalube® 63 is a trademark for a dithiophosphate commercially available from Ciba. Irgalube® 232 is a trademark for a butylated triphenyl phosphorothionate commercially available from Ciba. Irgalube® 349 is a trademark for a mixture of amine phosphates (an example of an organophosphate) commercially available from Ciba. Irgalube® 350 and Irgalube® 353 are trademarks for dialkyl dithiophosphate esters from Ciba. Krytox®157FSL is a trademark for a functionalized perfluoropolyether commercially available from DuPont. Zerol® 150 is a trademark for an alkyl benzene lubricant sold by Shrieve Chemical. OXT-101 is 3-ethyl-3-hydroxymethyloxetane from Toagosei Company. Tinuvin® 622LD is a trademark for a hindered amine antioxidant commercially available from Ciba. HP-136 is 5,7-di-t-butyl-3-(3-4-dimethylphenyl)-3H-benzofuran-2-one (an example of a lactone) from Ciba. The lubricant Ucon® PAG 488 is combined with the working fluid as set forth in Table 4 below to produce a composition that was 50 wt % working fluid and 50 wt % lubricant.

TABLE 4 Stabilizer (wt % in With refrig/ 2 lubricant vol % Temp Working fluid Lubricant Stabilizer mixture) Air (° C.) Rating HFC-1225ye PAG 488 None 0 yes 175 4 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 None 0 no 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Irgalube ® 63 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Irgalube ® 63 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Irgalube ® 232 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Irgalube ® 232 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Irgalube ® 349 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Irgalube ® 349 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Irgalube ® 350 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Irgalube ® 350 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Irgalube ® 353 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Irgalube ® 353 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 d-limonene 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 d-limonene 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 buckminsterfullerene 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 buckminsterfullerene 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 graphite powder 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 graphite powder 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 naphthalene 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 naphthalene 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Anisole 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Anisole 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Krytox ® 157FSL 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Krytox ® 157FSL 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Zerol ® 150 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Zerol ® 150 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Trifluormethyloxirane 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Trifluormethyloxirane 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 OXT-101 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 OXT-101 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 ascorbic acid 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 ascorbic acid 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 methyl mercaptan 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 methyl mercaptan 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 gamma-undecalactone 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 gamma-undecalactone 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 benzyl phenyl sulfide 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 benzyl phenyl sulfide 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 1,2-butylene oxide 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 1,2-butylene oxide 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 diisopropylamine 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 diisopropylamine 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 nitromethane 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 nitromethane 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 tris(trimethylsilyl)silane 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 tris(trimethylsilyl)silane 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 tocopherol 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 tocopherol 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 hydroquinone 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 hydroquinone 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Butylated hydroxy 2 yes 175 2 toluene (BHT) HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Butylated hydroxy 2 no 175 1 toluene (BHT) HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Divinyl terephthalic acid 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Divinyl terephthalic acid 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Tinuvin ® 622LD 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Tinuvin ® 622LD 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Mn(Cl)₂ with KCl 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Mn(Cl)₂ with KCl 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 TiO₂ 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 TiO₂ 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Na₂CO₃ 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 Na₂CO₃ 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 2-hydroxy-4- 2 yes 175 2 methoxybenzophenone HFC-1225ye PAG 488 2-hydroxy-4- 2 no 175 1 methoxybenzophenone HFC-1225ye PAG 488 2-hydroxybenzophenone 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 2-hydroxybenzophenone 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone 2 no 175 1 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 2,4- 2 yes 175 2 dimethylbenzophenone HFC-1225ye PAG 488 2,4- 2 no 175 1 dimethylbenzophenone HFC-1225ye PAG 488 3,4- 2 yes 175 2 diaminobenzophenone HFC-1225ye PAG 488 3,4- 2 no 175 1 diaminobenzophenone HFC-1225ye PAG 488 HP-136 2 yes 175 2 HFC-1225ye PAG 488 HP-136 2 no 175 1

Estimates indicate improved chemical stability in the presence of stabilizers with and without air present. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A composition consisting of at least one fluoroolefin, an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising: a. at least one compound selected from the group consisting of epoxides and fluorinated epoxides represented by Formula A, wherein each of R² through R⁵ is H, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or fluoroalkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms with the proviso that at least one of R² through R⁵ is a fluoroalkyl group;

and b. at least one terpene; and, optionally, at least one additional compound selected from a hydrofluorocarbon or hydrocarbon.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one terpene is selected from the group consisting of myrcene (2-methyl-6-methyl-eneocta-1,7-diene), allo-ocimene, beta-ocimene, terebene, limonene, retinal, pinene, menthol, geraniol, farnesol, phytol, Vitamin A, terpinene, delta-3-carene, terpinolene, phellandrene, fenchene, and dipentene, and mixtures thereof.
 3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the limonene is d-limonene.
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluoroolefin is selected from the group consisting of HFC-1225ye, HFC-1234yf, HFC-1234ze, and HFC-1243zf.
 5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the epoxide or fluorinated epoxide is selected from the group consisting of 1,2-propylene oxide, 1,2-butylene oxide, butylphenylglycidy ether, pentylphenylglycidyl ether, hexylphenylglycidyl ether, heptylphenylglycidyl ether, octylphenylglycidyl ether, nonylphenylglycidyl ether, decylphenylglycidyl ether, glycidyl methylphenylether, 1,4-glycidyl phenyl diether, 4-methoxyphenylglycidyl ether, naphthyl glycidyl ether, 1,4-diglycidyl naphthyl diether, butylphenyl glycidyl ether, n-butyl glycidyl ether, isobutyl glycidyl ether, hexanediol diglycidyl ether, allyl glycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, trifluoromethyloxirane, and 1,1-bis(trifluoromethyl)oxirane, and mixtures thereof.
 6. The composition of claim 1, wherein said fluoroolefin is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of: (i) fluoroolefins of the formula E- or Z—R¹CH═CHR², wherein R¹ and R² are, independently, C₁ to C₆ perfluoroalkyl groups; (ii) cyclic fluoroolefins of the formula cyclo-[CX═CY(CZW)_(n)—], wherein X, Y, Z, and W, independently, are H or F, and n is an integer from 2 to 5; and (iii) fluoroolefins selected from the group consisting of: 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-1-propene (CHF═CFCF₃), 1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoro-1-propene (CF₂═CHCF₃), 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoro-1-propene (CF₂═CFCHF₂), 1,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene (CHF═CFCHF₂), 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene (CH₂═CFCF₃), 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propeneCHF=CHCF₃), 1,1,2,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene (CF₂═CFCH₂F), 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene (CF₂═CHCHF₂), 1,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene (CHF═CFCHF₂), 3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene (CH₂═CHCF₃), 2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene (CHF₂CF═CH₂); 1,1,2-trifluoro-1-propene (CH₃CF═CF₂); 1,2,3-trifluoro-1-propene (CH₂FCF═CF₂); 1,1,3-trifluoro-1-propene (CH₂FCH═CF₂); 1,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene (CHF₂CH═CHF); 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,4-octafluoro-2-butene (CF₃CF═CFCF₃); 1,1,2,3,3,4,4,4-octafluoro-1-butene (CF₃CF₂CF═CF₂); 1,1,1,2,4,4,4-heptafluoro-2-butene (CF₃CF═CHCF₃); 1,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-1-butene (CHF═CFCF₂CF₃); 1,1,1,2,3,4,4-heptafluoro-2-butene (CHF₂CF═CFCF₃); 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1-propene ((CF₃)₂C═CHF); 1,1,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-1-butene (CF₂═CHCF₂CF₃); 1,1,2,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-1-butene (CF₂═CFCHFCF₃); 1,1,2,3,3,4,4-heptafluoro-1-butene (CF₂═CFCF₂CHF₂); 2,3,3,4,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene (CF₃CF₂CF═CH₂); 1,3,3,4,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene (CHF═CHCF₂CF₃); 1,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene (CHF═CFCHFCF₃); 1,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene (CHF═CFCF₂CHF₂); 1,1,2,3,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene (CHF₂CF═CFCHF₂); 1,1,1,2,3,4-hexafluoro-2-butene (CH₂FCF═CFCF₃); 1,1,1,2,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene (CHF₂CH═CFCF₃); 1,1,1,3,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene (CF₃CH═CFCHF₂); 1,1,2,3,3,4-hexafluoro-1-butene (CF₂═CFCF₂CH₂F); 1,1,2,3,4,4-hexafluoro-1-butene (CF₂═CFCHFCHF₂); 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1-propene (CH₂═C(CF₃)₂); 1,1,1,2,4-pentafluoro-2-butene (CH₂FCH═CFCF₃); 1,1,1,3,4-pentafluoro-2-butene (CF₃CH═CFCH₂F); 3,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene (CF₃CF₂CH═CH₂); 1,1,1,4,4-pentafluoro-2-butene (CHF₂CH═CHCF₃); 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoro-2-butene (CH₃CF═CFCF₃); 2,3,3,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene (CH₂═CFCF₂CHF₂); 1,1,2,4,4-pentafluoro-2-butene (CHF₂CF═CHCHF₂); 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoro-1-butene (CH₃CF₂CF═CF₂); 1,1,2,3,4-pentafluoro-2-butene (CH₂FCF═CFCHF₂); 1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoro-2-methyl-1-propene (CF₂═C(CF₃)(CH₃)); 2-(difluoromethyl)-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene (CH₂═C(CHF₂)(CF₃)); 2,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene (CH₂═CFCHFCF₃); 1,2,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene (CHF═CFCH₂CF₃); 1,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene (CHF═CHCHFCF₃); 1,3,3,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene (CHF═CHCF₂CHF₂); 1,2,3,4,4-pentafluoro-1-butene (CHF═CFCHFCHF₂); 3,3,4,4-tetrafluoro-1-butene (CH₂═CHCF₂CHF₂); 1,1-difluoro-2-(difluoromethyl)-1-propene (CF₂═C(CHF₂)(CH₃)); 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-methyl-1-propene (CHF═C(CF₃)(CH₃)); 3,3-difluoro-2-(difluoromethyl)-1-propene (CH₂═C(CHF₂)₂); 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoro-2-butene (CF₃CF═CHCH₃); 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-butene (CH₃CF═CHCF₃); 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,5-decafluoro-2-pentene (CF₃CF═CFCF₂CF₃); 1,1,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,5-decafluoro-1-pentene (CF₂═CFCF₂CF₂CF₃); 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2-butene ((CF₃)₂C═CHCF₃); 1,1,1,2,4,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-2-pentene (CF₃CF═CHCF₂CF₃); 1,1,1,3,4,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-2-pentene (CF₃CH═CFCF₂CF₃); 1,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-1-pentene (CHF═CFCF₂CF₂CF₃); 1,1,3,3,4,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-1-pentene (CF₂═CHCF₂CF₂CF₃); 1,1,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-nonafluoro-1-pentene (CF₂═CFCF₂CF₂CHF₂); 1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-2-pentene (CHF₂CF═CFCF₂CF₃); 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5-nonafluoro-2-pentene (CF₃CF═CFCF₂CHF₂); 1,1,1,2,3,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-2-pentene (CF₃CF═CFCHFCF₃); 1,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1-butene (CHF═CFCF(CF₃)₂); 1,1,2,4,4,4-hexafluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1-butene (CF₂═CFCH(CF₃) 2); 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2-butene (CF₃CH═C(CF₃)₂); 1,1,3,4,4,4-hexafluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1-butene (CF₂═CHCF(CF₃)₂); 2,3,3,4,4,5,5,5-octafluoro-1-pentene (CH₂═CFCF₂CF₂CF₃); 1,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoro-1-pentene (CHF═CFCF₂CF₂CHF₂); 3,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1-butene (CH₂═C(CF₃)CF₂CF₃); 1,1,4,4,4-pentafluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1-butene (CF₂═CHCH(CF₃)₂); 1,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1-butene (CHF═CHCF(CF₃)₂); 1,1,4,4,4-pentafluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1-butene (CF₂═C(CF₃)CH₂CF₃); 3,4,4,4-tetrafluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1-butene ((CF₃)₂CFCH═CH₂); 3,3,4,4,5,5,5-heptafluoro-1-pentene (CF₃CF₂CF₂CH═CH₂); 2,3,3,4,4,5,5-heptafluoro-1-pentene (CH₂═CFCF₂CF₂CHF₂); 1,1,3,3,5,5,5-heptafluoro-1-butene (CF₂═CHCF₂CH₂CF₃); 1,1,1,2,4,4,4-heptafluoro-3-methyl-2-butene (CF₃CF═C(CF₃)(CH₃)); 2,4,4,4-tetrafluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1-butene (CH₂═CFCH(CF₃)₂); 1,4,4,4-tetrafluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1-butene (CHF═CHCH(CF₃)₂); 1,1,1,4-tetrafluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2-butene (CH₂FCH═C(CF₃)₂); 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2-butene (CH₃CF═C(CF₃)₂); 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2-butene ((CF₃)₂C═CHCH₃); 3,4,4,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2-pentene (CF₃CF₂CF═CHCH₃); 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-methyl-2-butene (CF₃C(CH₃)═CHCF₃); 3,3,4,5,5,5-hexafluoro-1-pentene (CH₂═CHCF₂CHFCF₃); 4,4,4-trifluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1-butene (CH₂═C(CF₃)CH₂CF₃); 1,1,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6-dodecafluoro-1-hexene (CF₃(CF₂)₃CF═CF₂); 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,6,6,6-dodecafluoro-3-hexene (CF₃CF₂CF═CFCF₂CF₃); 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)-2-butene ((CF₃)₂C═C(CF₃)₂); 1,1,1,2,3,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene ((CF₃)₂CFCF═CFCF₃); 1,1,1,4,4,5,5,5-octafluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene ((CF₃)₂C═CHC₂F₅); 1,1,1,3,4,5,5,5-octafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene ((CF₃)₂CFCF═CHCF₃); 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6-nonafluoro-1-hexene (CF₃CF₂CF₂CF₂CH═CH₂); 4,4,4-trifluoro-3,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1-butene (CH₂═CHC(CF₃)₃); 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-3-methyl-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2-butene ((CF₃)₂C═C(CH₃)(CF₃)); 2,3,3,5,5,5-hexafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1-pentene (CH₂═CFCF₂CH(CF₃)₂); 1,1,1,2,4,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-3-methyl-2-pentene (CF₃CF═C(CH₃)CF₂CF₃); 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene (CF₃CH═CHCH(CF₃)₂); 3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6-octafluoro-2-hexene (CF₃CF₂CF₂CF═CHCH₃); 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6-octafluoro1-hexene (CH₂═CHCF₂CF₂CF₂CHF₂); 1,1,1,4,4-pentafluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene ((CF₃)₂C═CHCF₂CH₃); 4,4,5,5,5-pentafluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1-pentene (CH₂═C(CF₃)CH₂C₂F₅); 3,3,4,4,5,5,5-heptafluoro-2-methyl-1-pentene (CF₃CF₂CF₂C(CH₃)═CH₂); 4,4,5,5,6,6,6-heptafluoro-2-hexene (CF₃CF₂CF₂CH═CHCH₃); 4,4,5,5,6,6,6-heptafluoro-1-hexene (CH₂═CHCH₂CF₂C₂F₅); 1,1,1,2,2,3,4-heptafluoro-3-hexene (CF₃CF₂CF═CFC₂H₅); 4,5,5,5-tetrafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1-pentene (CH₂═CHCH₂CF(CF₃)₂); 1,1,1,2,5,5,5-heptafluoro-4-methyl-2-pentene (CF₃CF═CHCH(CF₃)(CH₃)); 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pentene ((CF₃)₂C═CFC₂H₅); 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-tetradecafluoro-2-heptene (CF₃CF═CFCF₂CF₂C₂F₅); 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-tetradecafluoro-3-heptene (CF₃CF₂CF═CFCF₂C₂F₅); 1,1,1,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-tridecafluoro-2-heptene (CF₃CH═CFCF₂CF₂C₂F₅); 1,1,1,2,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-tridecafluoro-2-heptene (CF₃CF═CHCF₂CF₂C₂F₅); 1,1,1,2,2,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-tridecafluoro-3-heptene (CF₃CF₂CH═CFCF₂C₂F₅); and 1,1,1,2,2,3,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-tridecafluoro-3-heptene (CF₃CF₂CF═CHCF₂C₂F₅).
 7. The composition of claim 1, consisting of: a. HFC-1234yf; and b. an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising: i) 1,2-propylene oxide, 1,2-butylene oxide, or a mixture thereof; and ii) d-limonene.
 8. The composition of claim 1, consisting of: a. difluoromethane; b. HFC-1234yf; and c. an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising: i) 1,2-propylene oxide, 1,2-butylene oxide, or a mixture thereof; and ii) d-limonene.
 9. A process for producing cooling comprising condensing the composition of claim 1 and thereafter evaporating said composition in the vicinity of a body to be cooled.
 10. A process for producing heat comprising condensing the composition of claim 1 in the vicinity of a body to be heated, and thereafter evaporating said composition.
 11. A composition, consisting of at least one fluoroolefin, an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising: a. at least one compound selected from the group consisting of epoxides and fluorinated epoxides represented by Formula A, wherein each of R² through R⁵ is H, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or fluoroalkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms with the proviso that at least one of R² through R⁵ is a fluoroalkyl group;

b. at least one terpene; and c. at least one additional stabilizer compound; and, optionally, at least one additional compound selected from a hydrofluorocarbon or hydrocarbon.
 12. The composition of claim 11, wherein the at least one additional stabilizer compound is selected from the group consisting of a phenol, a phosphite, and a terpenoid, and mixtures thereof.
 13. The composition of claim 12, wherein: a. the phenol is selected from the group consisting of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol; 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol; 2,4-dimethyl-6-tertbutylphenol; tocopherol; hydroquinone; t-butyl hydroquinone; 4,4′-thio-bis(2-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol); 4,4′-thiobis(3-methyl-6-tertbutylphenol); 2,2′-thiobis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol); 4,4′-methylenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol); 4,4′-bis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol); 2,2′-methylenebis(4-ethyl-6-tertbutylphenol); 2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol); 4,4-butylidenebis(3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol); 4,4-isopropylidenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol); 2,2′-methyleenbis(4-methyl-6-nonylphenol); 2,2′-isobutylidenebis(4,6-dimethylphenol; 2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-cyclohexylphenol, 2,2′-methylenebis(4-ethyl-6-tert-butylphenol); butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT); 2,6-di-tert-alpha-dimethylamino-p-cresol; 4,4-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-m-cresol; acylaminophenols; 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4(N,N′-dimethylaminomethylphenol); bis(3-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butylbenzyl)sulfide; and bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)sulfide, and mixtures thereof; b. the phosphite is selected from the group consisting of tris-(di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite, di-n-octyl phosphite, and iso-decyl diphenyl phosphite, and mixtures thereof; and c. the terpenoid is selected from the group consisting of abietane, ambrosane, aristolane, atisane, beyerane, bisabolane, bornane, caryophyllane, cedrane, dammarane, drimane, eremophilane, eudesmane, fenchane, gammacerane, germacrane, gibbane, grayanotoxane, guaiane, himachalane, hopane, humulane, kaurane, labdane, lanostane, lupane, p-menthane, oleanane, ophiobolane, picrasane, pimarane, pinane, podocarpane, protostane, rosane, taxane, thujane, trichothecane, and ursane; and mixtures thereof.
 14. The composition of claim 11, wherein the at least one additional stabilizer compound is a metal deactivator selected from the group consisting of areoxalyl bis(benzylidene)hydrazide; N,N′-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamoylhydrazine); 2,2′-oxamidobis-ethyl-(3,5-d-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydorcinnamate); N,N′-(disalicyclidene)-1,2-propanediamine; ethyenediaminetetraacetic acid and salts thereof; a triazole; benzotriazole, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, a tolutriazole derivative, and N,N-disalicylidene-1,2-diaminopropane, and mixtures thereof.
 15. The composition of claim 11, wherein the at least one additional stabilizer compound is selected from the group consisting of a thiophosphate, a butylated triphenylphosphorothionate, an organo phosphate, a fullerene, an aryl alkyl ether, a functionalized perfluoropolyether, a polyoxyalkylated aromatic, an alkylated aromatic, an oxetane, ascorbic acid, a thiol, a lactone, a thioether, an amine, nitromethane, an alkylsilane, a benzophenone derivative, an aryl sulfide, divinyl terephthalate, diphenyl terephthalate, and mixtures thereof.
 16. A composition consisting of: a. at least one fluoroolefin selected from the group consisting of HFC-1225ye, HFC-1234yf, HFC-1234ze, and HFC-1243zf; b. an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising: i. at least one compound selected from the group consisting of epoxides and fluorinated epoxides represented by Formula A, wherein each of R² through R⁵ is H, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or fluoroalkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms with the proviso that at least one of R² through R⁵ is a fluoroalkyl group;

and ii. at least one terpene selected from the group consisting of myrcene (2-methyl-6-methyl-eneocta-1,7-diene), allo-ocimene, beta-ocimene, terebene, limonene, retinal, pinene, menthol, geraniol, farnesol, phytol, Vitamin A, terpinene, delta-3-carene, terpinolene, phellandrene, fenchene, and dipentene, and mixtures thereof; and, optionally: c. at least one additional compound selected from a hydrofluorocarbon or hydrocarbon.
 17. A composition consisting of at least one fluoroolefin, a lubricant, an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising: a. at least one compound selected from the group consisting of epoxides and fluorinated epoxides represented by Formula A, wherein each of R² through R⁵ is H, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or fluoroalkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms with the proviso that at least one of R² through R⁵ is a fluoroalkyl group;

and b. at least one terpene; and, optionally, at least one additional compound selected from a hydrofluorocarbon or hydrocarbon.
 18. The composition of claim 17, wherein the lubricant is selected from the group consisting of mineral oil, an alkylbenzene, a polyalphaolefin, silicone oil, a polyoxyalkylene glycol ether, a polyol ester, and a polyvinylether, and mixtures thereof.
 19. The composition of claim 17, wherein the at least one terpene is selected from the group consisting of myrcene (2-methyl-6-methyl-eneocta-1,7-diene), allo-ocimene, beta-ocimene, terebene, limonene, retinal, pinene, menthol, geraniol, farnesol, phytol, Vitamin A, terpinene, delta-3-carene, terpinolene, phellandrene, fenchene, and dipentene, and mixtures thereof.
 20. The composition of claim 19, wherein the limonene is d-limonene. 